Suspension for BC teacher who told stories about his high school girlfriend

A BC secondary school teacher who told vulnerable students personal stories about his high school girlfriend has been suspended.

According to a June 24 BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, Chilliwack inclusion teacher Robert Luke Acheson made a series of comments during the 2022/2023 school year which got him suspended.

The decision said he made a comment about a student’s appearance, to the student. He also made comments about a staff member’s appearance.

And more comments followed.

“Acheson shared an inappropriate story with students… about a traumatic personal incident that occurred when he was in high school or middle school, which included inappropriate content of a sexual nature,” the decision read. “Acheson shared a personal story with students… about a high school girlfriend which included inappropriate content of a sexual nature.”

The decision didn’t give precise details of what Acheson said or how inappropriate it was.

Acheson, who has been teaching since 2017, was barred from working with vulnerable students and suspended for 15 days without pay. He was also made to take a three-day Respectful Professional Boundaries course.

The school district then reported him to the teaching regulator who suspended his licence for one day.

“Acheson failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in discussions with students, by sharing inappropriate stories that included inappropriate content of a sexual nature, and by inappropriately commenting on the appearance of students and other staff,” the regulator said.

Acheson signed a consent agreement admitting to his behaviour. No other details were given in the decision.