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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.