BC teacher’s ‘unprofessional language’ gets her suspended, reprimanded

A BC teacher who used unprofessional language in an email to a parent about another student received a one-day suspension and a public reprimand from the teaching regulator.

According to an April 2 BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, Saanich elementary school teacher Lydia Maria Fitterer exchanged emails with a parent of one of her pupils and in the emails discussed another student.

The decision said Fitterer identified the student by name, referred to personal aspects of the student’s education, and disclosed details from a conversation she’d had with the student’s parents.

“Fitterer used unprofessional language concerning (the) student in the emails,” the decision read.

Following the email exchange, Fitterer was suspended for one day in January 2024 by School District 63 which then informed the regulator.

“Fitterer failed to protect student privacy and uphold confidentiality,” the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation said in the decision. “Fitterer used language that failed to model respect for students and did not foster inclusion.”

The decision said Fitterer has been teaching since 2007 and had previously been issued a letter of discipline from the school board in 2023 about her conduct in the classroom.

The letter addressed Fitterer publicly reprimanding students in front of the class and reports of alleged inappropriate language and comments.

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“That letter directed Fitterer to immediately improve her efforts in various areas, including to attend training related to social-emotional learning, seek ‘support and guidance’ when unsure how to respond to concerns, ‘refrain from language or conversation that can be interpreted as demeaning,’ and ‘show consistent support for students by using language and remarks that support their individual growth and self-esteem,'” the decision read.

The regulator said it was concerning that she had previously to told to refrain from language that could be interpreted as demeaning.

Along with the public reprimand, the regulator ordered Fitterer to complete the course reinforcing respectful boundaries.