Vancouver Island Teacher Suspended Following Time Theft and Ethical Breaches

The teaching profession is built on a foundation of trust, ethics, and the safety of students. However, a recent case involving a primary school teacher on Vancouver Island has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting a severe lapse in professional conduct.

Alex Chen, a teacher within the Saanich School District, has had his authorization to practice suspended for two weeks by the professional regulatory body. This decision comes after a series of disciplinary issues that ranged from the misuse of working hours to serious boundary violations with a student.

The Social Media Scandal: ‘Time Theft’ in the Classroom

The controversy began when it was discovered that Mr. Chen was utilizing his classroom and working hours to produce content for social media. According to regulatory documents, Chen identified himself as a teacher in these videos, which were filmed on school premises during instructional time.

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• Unauthorized Use of Student Work: The investigation revealed that Chen used artwork, thank-you cards, and gifts created by his students in his videos without obtaining explicit permission.
• Misuse of Resources: The school district explicitly warned Chen that creating personal social media content during school hours constituted a misappropriation of professional time, often referred to as “time theft.”

Fraudulent Sick Leave for a Pleasure Trip

Adding to the ethical concerns, the regulatory body found that Mr. Chen engaged in fraudulent activity regarding his employment benefits. In March 2025, Chen scheduled three days of paid sick leave immediately preceding the spring break.

However, the investigation concluded that Chen was not ill. Instead, he used these paid days to travel to Japan for a leisure trip. This action was taken shortly after he had received a disciplinary letter regarding his social media activities, suggesting a disregard for the district’s professional expectations.

Serious Professional Boundary Violations

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the case involves Mr. Chen’s interactions with a former student. As part of a settlement agreement with the BC Teachers’ Council (the professional regulatory body for teachers in British Columbia), Chen admitted to repeated violations of professional boundaries over a two-year period.

The admitted misconduct includes:

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• Sending over 80 emails to the former student.
• Recommending sexually explicit music to the student.
• Attending the student’s sporting events in a personal capacity, despite having no official role as a coach or teacher for those activities.

The Consequences and Final Ruling

As a result of these combined failures in professional judgment and ethics, the Saanich School District terminated Mr. Chen’s employment in May 2025.

In addition to the two-week suspension of his license, a strict restriction has been placed on his qualification certificate. Mr. Chen is prohibited from practicing as a teacher until he successfully completes mandatory training on professional boundaries.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous standards expected of educators in Canada and the severe consequences that follow when those boundaries are crossed for personal gain or inappropriate reasons.