The Discipline Committee ordered the suspension of the teaching certificate of Stephen Vianney Victor Emmell for engaging in inappropriate interactions with a former student (Student 1) and not reporting serious concerns held by Student 1 about Teacher A and Teacher B.
During the time in question, Emmell was employed as a teacher by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Emmell, who was certified to teach in June 2009, attended the hearing on December 18, 2024, and had legal representation.
Emmell sent Student 1 inappropriate text messages that included sexual innuendo and remarks which downplayed her concerns. For example:
- after she showed him inappropriate text messages sent to her by Teacher A, Emmell asked her whether she had taken Teacher A up on his offer, referring to Teacher A’s text messages to her and alluding to whether Teacher A and Student 1 had sexual relations;
- after she told him she thought Teacher B had been “hitting on [her]” when she was in his class, Emmell asked her whether she would “tap” (have sexual contact with) Teacher B if given the chance;
- when she told him about another incident involving Teacher B, he responded “You should just accept that you two were super close to doing [sic] it…Better story that way”;
- saying to her, “I don’t blame the guy either, I remember you being a really funny and seemingly interested and engaging student. Special attention from you would be hard to ignore! Poor [Teacher B] probably felt powerless to resist you”; and
- stating to her, “Isn’t it during high school that pretty girls learn how to manipulate men with their wiles? Poor male teachers!”.
Emmell failed to report Student 1’s concerns to school administration or direct her to appropriate school board support to help her address her concerns. Instead, he told her to stop contacting him and informed her that she needed to “let this go” and “move on with [her] life.”
The Discipline Committee panel found Emmell guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be suspended for one month and that he receive a reprimand.
He was also directed to complete a course regarding the importance of maintaining professional boundaries.
In their written decision, the Discipline Committee panel stated, “Students, parents, and the public expect that members of the teaching profession will exercise good judgment and will ensure that their students are safe and supported.”
