Aldergrove high school teacher disciplined over gay prank

Langley shops teacher Daniel Mark Ofloff has been stripped of his teaching certificate for two weeks for speaking disrespectfully to a student and for ridiculing another in class with a homophobic prank.

The same teacher had been given a warning in 2011 for making “inappropriate” comments to Grade 7 students, according to an agreement issued by the B.C. commissioner for teacher regulation.

As a prank, Ogloff, a metal fabrication and machining teacher at Aldergrove Community Secondary school, in September 2013 played what he considered a prank.

Ogloff “acted unprofessionally, disrespectfully and without regard for students’ physical and emotional safety,” according to the report.

“Ogloff placed a piece of masking tape on the back of the jacket of a male Grade 11 student” with the words “I’m gay” written on it.

“Ogloff then gestured ‘shhh’ to the students after putting the tape on and pointed at another student and mouthed words to the effect, ‘It was him.’

Students were laughing and taking photos.

“Ogloff considered this to be horseplay,” said the report.

Ogloff had served a 10-week suspension without pay for that incident and was ordered to participate in a “restorative action” with the student and mandatory mentorship with another teacher and to complete courses required by the district.

“Ogloff disputes the appropriateness of this discipline,” according to the report.

In the other incident, Ogloff in December 2012 “spoke inappropriately and disrespectfully” to a Grade 12 student who approached him in class to ask why she was the only student failing.

“Ogloff responded by saying words to the effect of ‘she wants to know why you’re passing and she’s not,’ in a loud voice,” adding, “‘you are never here and you don’t do anything in this class.’”

Ogloff admitted his conduct in both instances “constitutes professional misconduct,” which the commission said is contrary to B.C. standards for education.

Ogloff agreed to the two-week suspension of his licence, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5.

The agreement between the commission and Ogloff, struck under the B.C. Teachers Act, also said Ogloff understood that if he breached the agreement, it may constitute further professional misconduct and prompt further investigation.

The agreement also forbids him from commenting about it.

Ogloff has been licensed as a teacher since 2008.

– Susan Lazaruk is a Vancouver Province reporter.

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