School replaces teacher who was campaigning, Oct. 23

Excellent continued coverage by education reporter Isabel Teotonio on Toronto District School Board teacher Roseline Dorcin.

From Dorcin’s own social media, we learn she has moved to Quebec, run unsuccessfully for the NDP in Westmount and then worked at an NDP office in Westmount during the federal election. And yes, incredulously, all while on paid sick leave from the TDSB.

The main story questioned why the TDSB had only provided a supply teacher and then an occasional teacher for her class, knowing that Dorcin was not returning. After hearing from parents of students, the board has now “replaced” her.

Perhaps there is a secondary and equally important story. Based on the very general comments from the TDSB, under the guise of privacy for Dorcin, it appears that she remains on paid sick leave while looking for work in Quebec.

The sick-leave entitlement is for teachers who are ill and need coverage while they heal and get ready to return to the classroom. Why is this person on paid leave when she is obviously not ill and, having moved to Quebec, will not be returning to Toronto to teach?

I look forward to Teotonio’s next report on this matter.