A B.C. school teacher has been reprimanded after multiple complaints were filed against him, including one in which Grade 3 students on a school bus were told he would 鈥渞ip out鈥� their vocal cords if they raised their voices.
Edward Gerrit Timmermans, who was teaching in School District 63 in Saanich on Vancouver Island, agreed to a statement of facts through B.C.鈥檚 commissioner for teacher regulation that included an admission of professional misconduct. The commissioner found that Timmermans 鈥渇ailed to treat students equitably with acceptance, dignity and respect and failed to show adequate care for students鈥� mental and emotional wellbeing; and Timmermans failed to model appropriate behaviour expected of an educator.鈥�
Multiple infractions were detailed in the disciplinary report, including Timmermans鈥� behaviour on a bus with a Grade 3 class during a field trip.
鈥淯sing the microphone on the bus, he welcomed the students, made a few jokes and then added: 鈥業f you need to stand up to shout across the bus you need to understand that I will rip out your vocal cords and then throw them out the window,鈥� the agreement states.
In another, a student referred to themselves as 鈥渄umb鈥� and Timmermans responded that the student 鈥渨as not dumb as 鈥榙umb means you are unable to speak and clearly you are speaking鈥�,鈥� the report said. 鈥淚n retelling the story to colleagues as a meeting, Timmermans was remind that some students are non-verbal. Timmermans responded by saying: 鈥榊eah, and they are dumb.鈥欌��
On April 28, 2001, Timmermans addressed a Grade 7 Indigenous student about the clothes they were wearing by saying, 鈥淧erhaps (Student A) is laughing at you because of what you鈥檙e wearing,鈥� the report said. 鈥淗e also said: 鈥榊ou have your bra hanging out and people are going to look at you.鈥欌��
Timmermans must complete a course through the Justice Institute of B.C. or face a suspension of his teaching certificate.
Timmermans was suspended by SD63 for one month without pay but has not served it. However, he ended up resigning from the school district effective June 30, 2022.
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