Teacher suspended after doing 'back-breaker' move on students in North Vancouver
An elementary school teacher who repeatedly used a "back-breaker" move on students in North Vancouver has been suspended and ordered to take a course on fostering a positive learning environment.
Sylvain Joseph-Leo Desbiens would place his knee on a student's back while pulling their arms behind them, which was perceived by some children as being "punitive in nature," according to a consent agreement published Tuesday by B.C.'s commissioner for teacher regulation.
Desbiens wouldn't use his full strength while performing the “back-breaker,” but it still appeared to cause the students discomfort.
"More than one student said that this caused pain," the agreement reads.
"On one occasion, a group of students nominated a classmate to 'sacrifice' themselves for punishment by receiving the 'back-breaker,' as the other students did not want to have the 'back-breaker' performed on them."
The incidents took place during the 2018-19 school year, while Desbiens was teaching students in grades 4 and 5. He did not perform the "back-breaker" move on girls.
The teacher would also sometimes “pinch a student's (shoulder muscle) to the point where it hurt," and "pretend to strike students by forcefully slapping one of his hands into his open palm above their heads," according to the consent agreement.
"On one occasion, he accidentally made contact with a student's head while doing this," it reads.
"At least one student reported being afraid of Desbiens."
The teacher's behaviour prompted several complaints from parents, which led to an investigation by the North Vancouver School District that resulted in a three-day suspension without pay in 2019.
After reviewing the matter, the commissioner for teacher regulation ordered that Desbien be suspended another five days, and complete the course Creating a Positive Learning Environment through the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
When determining the punishment, the commissioner considered that Desbiens' behaviour "jeopardized the physical and emotional safety of the students in his class."
The teacher was also previously reminded to be respectful around students after an incident in 2011, when he was working in Vancouver and used masking tape to tape a student's mouth shut.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.