A British Columbia high school teacher has permanently lost his certificate to teach and been banned from reapplying for five years after admitting he sent sexually inappropriate text messages to a vulnerable student – a case that underscores for HR professionals the disciplinary and reputational consequences organizations face when employees breach positions of trust with those in their care.
Jeffrey Allan Jennens held a valid Professional Certificate of Qualification issued under the Teachers Act, SBC 2011, c. 19, effective Sept. 19, 2012, according to a summary of consent resolution agreement published by the regulator.
At all material times, he was employed as a high school teacher at a school district in B.C., which is not named in the summary in order to protect the identity of the affected student.
The summary states it was published under section 54(3) of the Teachers Act to protect the identity of a student "harmed, abused or exploited by the Teacher." The district reported Jennens to the Commissioner on May 18, 2023, under section 16 of the School Act, triggering the regulatory process.
Student A was described as "a vulnerable student in a program that Jennens was teaching." The two periodically communicated through Instagram, including about school and personal problems. Because Jennens had access to the student's account for texting, he could also view photos and stories the student had posted.
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