High school teacher Nick Giannias is so fed up with what he calls the toxic working environment at Lawrence Park C.I., he has lodged a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.

In a 21-page complaint filed in December, the history, law and English teacher — currently on stress leave from his job — claims he is in “mental anguish” over what he feels was the improper handling of an assault he witnessed in the school (and the bullying he has been subject to for being a “snitch”). He also cites alleged refusals by his principal to honour his request for a transfer to another school.

Giannias has also complained to the Ontario College of Teachers about the alleged assault by a fellow teacher on one of his students and an investigation is underway.

The board, union and school officials named in the complaint have until this Friday to respond.

Ironically on the Lawrence Park website, there is an entire link on director Donna Quan’s mental health strategy, along with pointers on how to recognize anxiety and other stressors.

When I met with the 46-year-old father of two last week, his sick leave credits had just expired and he had been placed on a leave of absence without pay. He’s willing to go back to Lawrence Park but not if those who are the subject of his complaint are still there.

“It’s hard because I want to go back and teach ... but I’ve had enough,” he said. “It’s a culture of fear (at the school) ... a very toxic environment.”

Lawrence Park C.I. principal Lillian Jovanovic interrupted my question when I contacted her Thursday, advising me to contact TDSB’s communications people.

When I pressed further, suggesting three times she was specifically named in the complaint and I therefore wanted to give an opportunity to respond directly, she ended the conversation.

“I am not going to repeat myself ... I said you need to talk to the board communications people,” she said, hanging up with a terse, “Thank-you ... good-bye.”

Christos Aslanidis, vice-president of OSSTF Toronto District 12 bargaining unit — also named in the complaint — e-mailed me to advise that individual member issues are “confidential” and “not discussed with members of the media.”

Giannias said there are many caring teachers at his school and elsewhere but many — subject to a lack of resources, no textbooks and filthy classrooms — are “just going through the motions.”

He said without the proper textbooks, many are just winging it, using precious resources to make photocopies or hoping that students have iPads.

“They feel it’s an uphill battle to change things now,” he says. “Unless things change at the top nothing will change.”