Coquitlam kindergarten teacher receives two-day suspension for causing emotional distress, failing to properly supervise students

A Coquitlam kindergarten teacher has been given a two-day suspension for causing emotional distress to a student, and for failing to properly supervise her class.

On July 18, the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation issued their disciplinary action on Tania Christine Jacobsen, a teacher since 1992, currently employed at Riverview Park Elementary school.

Two incidents regarding Jacobsen’s conduct during the 2022/2023 school year resulted in the Coquitlam School District filing a report to the commissioner on Feb. 28, 2023.

The first occurred on Nov. 25, after a student with “diverse abilities” continued to use the wood “poop.” In an effort to stop the student, Jacobsen wrote the word down on a piece of green painter’s tape, crossed it out, and briefly taped it onto the student’s arm.

The student appeared to become “distressed, embarrassed, and nearly in tears” as this occurred in front of other classmates, according to the commissioner’s report.

Jacobsen removed the tape, stating: “You cannot be saying that word or I might have to put this back on.”

The second incident occurred Jan. 10, and involved two separate instances of Jacobsen failing to appropriately supervise her students.

Shortly after lunch, another school employee found three students in the courtyard outside of Jacobsen’s classroom with the door closed.

Later during the day, Jacobsen allowed a student to go outside the classroom to retrieve an umbrella that was around 90 metres away, passed some parked cars and out of her sight.

On Feb. 27, the Coquitlam School District issued Jacobsen a letter of discipline and suspended her for a day without pay.

In September, 2023, Jacobsen was required to attend two provincial workshops relating to teaching students with autism and related disorders.

Last year’s incidents were not the first time Jacobsen has run into issues with her employer, which the commissioner described as a “pattern of conduct.” 

In 2017, she received an official letter of reprimand from the school district following allegations she slapped a disruptive student on the arm who was not following her directions.

Afterwards she was required to take a “positive learning environment” course through the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Jacobsen admitted the facts set out in the report were true, and the conduct amounted to professional misconduct.

The commissioner handed down a two-day suspension in December, 2024, stating Jacobsen endangered the physical and emotional safety of the students, who are particularly vulnerable due to their age.