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B.C. teacher disciplined for telling Grade 3 kids he would 91Ƶrip out91Ƶ their vocal cords

Teacher also said non-verbal children are 91Ƶdumb91Ƶ

A B.C. school teacher has been reprimanded after multiple complaints were filed against him, including one in which Grade 3 students on a school bus were told he would 91Ƶrip out91Ƶ their vocal cords if they raised their voices.

Edward Gerrit Timmermans, who was teaching in School District 63 in Saanich on Vancouver Island, agreed to a statement of facts through B.C.91Ƶs commissioner for teacher regulation that included an admission of professional misconduct. The commissioner found that Timmermans 91Ƶfailed to treat students equitably with acceptance, dignity and respect and failed to show adequate care for students91Ƶ mental and emotional wellbeing; and Timmermans failed to model appropriate behaviour expected of an educator.91Ƶ

Multiple infractions were detailed in the disciplinary report, including Timmermans91Ƶ behaviour on a bus with a Grade 3 class during a field trip.

91ƵUsing the microphone on the bus, he welcomed the students, made a few jokes and then added: 91ƵIf you need to stand up to shout across the bus you need to understand that I will rip out your vocal cords and then throw them out the window,91Ƶ the agreement states.

In another, a student referred to themselves as 91Ƶdumb91Ƶ and Timmermans responded that the student 91Ƶwas not dumb as 91Ƶdumb means you are unable to speak and clearly you are speaking91Ƶ,91Ƶ the report said. 91ƵIn retelling the story to colleagues as a meeting, Timmermans was remind that some students are non-verbal. Timmermans responded by saying: 91ƵYeah, and they are dumb.91Ƶ91Ƶ

On April 28, 2001, Timmermans addressed a Grade 7 Indigenous student about the clothes they were wearing by saying, 91ƵPerhaps (Student A) is laughing at you because of what you91Ƶre wearing,91Ƶ the report said. 91ƵHe also said: 91ƵYou have your bra hanging out and people are going to look at you.91Ƶ91Ƶ

Timmermans must complete a course through the Justice Institute of B.C. or face a suspension of his teaching certificate.

Timmermans was suspended by SD63 for one month without pay but has not served it. However, he ended up resigning from the school district effective June 30, 2022.

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Chris Campbell

About the Author: Chris Campbell

I joined the Victoria News hub as an editor in 2023, bringing with me over 30 years of experience from community newspapers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
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