A Calgary teacher has been fined $1,000 and received a letter of severe reprimand after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a Grade 12 student, including texts referencing “nakedness,” late-night, alcohol-influenced conversations, and payment for course prep work. According to a Jan. 16 report from the professional conduct committee of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, Gerald Ernest Doak entered a guilty plea to two charges of unprofessional conduct and has since resigned. But he did not receive an official suspension from the ATA, meaning he is still eligible to teach. However, an official with the Calgary Board of Education said that “it is highly unlikely” a teacher with a record of professional misconduct would be hired as a teacher again. According to the report, Doak, by his own admission, engaged in a text conversation with the student that included references to hugs, nakedness and “R-rated” texting icons. The report also stated he engaged in late night, alcohol-influenced conversations with her. And he forwarded a “significant” sum of money to her for chemistry class preparation work he had created as a summer job, according to the decision.

The report said the student was from an impoverished home who was at odds with her family. While Doak forwarded her money, the student expressed concern about being given a second instalment, a total of $300, which was more than the agreed-upon amount.