An Oakville high school teacher is accused of professional misconduct following allegations she promoted gambling in class and belittled a student with comments such as “life would be a hundred times better without him in it.”

The startling allegations are found in a notice of hearing document accusing Lillian Donaldson, an English teacher at Abbey Park High School, of professional misconduct.

None of the allegations against Donaldson have been proven and she is scheduled to appear at an Ontario College of Teachers disciplinary hearing Nov. 12.

Donaldson deferred comment on the case to her lawyer, Jack Brown, who also didn’t comment when reached by Inside Halton.

Donaldson faces a number of allegations under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, including that she abused a student verbally, psychologically or emotionally, that she “failed to maintain the standards of the profession” and that she “committed acts that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.”

The notice of hearing was brought about after accusations stemming from the 2016-17 school year. Donaldson is accused of making a number of inappropriate comments to a student in her class, including that he’s a “nerd.” She also told him to “be intelligent for once,” to “go to hell,” to “get a life” and suggested he had no friends, according to the document.

She is also accused of telling the student “that life would be a hundred times better without him in it.”

The notice didn’t reveal the student’s age or name.

Donaldson is further accused of engaging in “inappropriate conduct” by yelling at students and promoting gambling in class, according to the allegations.

Halton District School Board spokesperson Marnie Denton confirmed Donaldson is an employee of the board but couldn’t comment on her personnel record as “personnel matters are an employee matter between the employer and employee.”

Donaldson received her teaching certificate in 2001, according to the Ontario College of Teachers website.

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