This story contains language that may offend some readers.
A teacher in the Prince George school district has been issued a six-month suspension by the provincial government's Teacher Regulation Office for inappropriate conduct towards his students.
The suspension against Murray Alan Garland was issued Aug. 27 and came into effect last Tuesday with the start of the school year, although documents indicate he has not been teaching since the end of January.
The documents outline a history of trouble dating as far back as February 2007 when he received the first of a series of warning letters and suspensions from the school district.
He received a two-day suspension in November 2010 for grabbing a student on the arm while removing him from the classroom. That was followed by a five-day suspension in December 2011 for "speaking to students in an inappropriate manner on many occasions, causing students to feel belittled, ridiculed and embarrassed."
The school district imposed a forced transfer and Garland was moved from Morfee Elementary to Buckhorn Elementary for the start of the 2012-13 school year but he continued in his ways.
He caused his students at Buckhorn to "feel picked upon, embarrassed and bullied, including using sarcasm and teasing in his interactions with students."
Moreover, Garland touched a female student on her stomach during gym class, making her feel awkward and uncomfortable. Parents heard him make an inappropriate comment using vulgar language to a staff member while in the school's hallway.
On three occasions, Garland refused to meet with administration regarding his conduct and he was issued a two-day suspension without pay. In January, Garland, his union and the district entered an agreement, whereby he would resign by the end of that month.
When an investigation report was sent to him by express post in April, he refused to accept delivery. In May, he responded to an e-mail from the district by saying, in part: "I'm really not interested in receiving any more mail from you a**holes. Kindly cease and desist."
He later returned a letter from the district, writing on the envelope, "Tell [...] he can go f**k himself."
According to the documents, Garland agrees with the facts as set out and has accepted the suspension. His teaching certificate had already been suspended for non-payment of fees.
