The Huffington Post reported yestertday that Abbotsford High School principal Michael Edmund Ewert acted unprofessionally and inappropriately with three teaching assistants at Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School.
Ewert admitted to professional misconduct and will have his teaching privileges suspended for four months. A Ministry of Education report, which Ewert agreed was true, says that he had a sexual realtionship with one of the TAs and flirted openly with her.
He is reported to have had inappropriate relationships with the other two as well – often texting about personal matters during the school day and appearing to favour the TAs in front of staff and students.
The report also says that Ewert lied about his actions and told the TAs about the investigation into his behaviour even though he was under strict orders not to.
Drug use, which Ewert should have been reported to the Ministry, went unreported and one of the TAs was allowed to drive students in her car despite her drug problems.
According to the Ministry of Education, “The consent resolution agreement was executed by the Commissioner on March 27, 2015. Michael Edmund Ewert admitted to professional misconduct contrary to Standards # 1 and 2. Ewert agreed to a four month suspension of his certificate of qualification from December 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015. Ewert also agreed to complete the TRB professional boundaries course by August 31, 2015.”
[excerpt] An Abbotsford principal who used his position to pursue intimate relationships with teaching assistants under his supervision has been suspended for four months.Michael Edmund Ewert acted “unprofessionally and inappropriately” with three women between 2008 and 2011 at Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School, said the B.C. Teachers Regulation Branch.
In 2008, Ewert developed a sexual relationship with a teaching assistant, and openly flirted with her in front of students and staff, according to a discipline decision posted this week. He used his position as principal to influence the woman’s assignment to his school that autumn.
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For a copy of the disciplinary decision click here.