A British Columbia high school teacher has permanently lost his certificate to teach and been banned from reapplying for five years after admitting he sent sexually inappropriate text messages to a vulnerable student – a case that underscores for HR professionals the disciplinary and reputational consequences organizations face when employees breach positions of trust with those in their care.
Jeffrey Allan Jennens held a valid Professional Certificate of Qualification issued under the Teachers Act, SBC 2011, c. 19, effective Sept. 19, 2012, according to a summary of consent resolution agreement published by the regulator.
At all material times, he was employed as a high school teacher at a school district in B.C., which is not named in the summary in order to protect the identity of the affected student.
The summary states it was published under section 54(3) of the Teachers Act to protect the identity of a student "harmed, abused or exploited by the Teacher." The district reported Jennens to the Commissioner on May 18, 2023, under section 16 of the School Act, triggering the regulatory process.
Details of the misconduct
Student A was described as "a vulnerable student in a program that Jennens was teaching." The two periodically communicated through Instagram, including about school and personal problems. Because Jennens had access to the student's account for texting, he could also view photos and stories the student had posted.
During one exchange, while discussing the student's personal problems, Jennens viewed semi-nude photographs the student had posted and sent messages including: "Your shower story turned me on a lot. I was looking at it today," and "I saw you after coming out of the shower with the censorship sign over your breasts, and I wanted to see them."
In another, he wrote, "I'm in my hottub and not wearing a bathing suit and there are so many things but Immusually [sic] not allowed to say so I'm taking this opportunity."
Jennens also asked the student to keep the exchange confidential, writing, "Ok, so we can keep them secret, right?" He has stated he was intoxicated when he sent the messages but "acknowledges that this does not excuse his conduct."
Regulatory process and resolution
On May 20, 2023, Jennens signed an Undertaking Not to Practice, agreeing not to teach in any role requiring a Ministry of Education credential. He resigned from the district effective June 30, 2025.
On June 22, 2026, Jennens entered a consent resolution agreement admitting his conduct constituted professional misconduct under section 63 of the Teachers Act and breached Standards #1 and #2 of the Professional Standards for BC Educators. He consented to cancellation of his certificate under sections 53 and 64(e), plus a five-year reapplication ban.
The Commissioner considered that Jennens's conduct was "a serious breach of his position of power and trust as a teacher" and harmed "Student A's emotional safety and well-being." Jennens agreed not to make any statement contradicting the agreement's terms or admissions.
Previously, the guilty plea of a former Ontario Grade 8 teacher — to multiple sex crimes involving her students — highlighted the importance of robust safeguarding policies, digital conduct oversight, and proactive employee support systems in any workplace where children or vulnerable individuals are present.
Earlier this year, the Ontario College of Teachers launched a formal discipline case against a Sudbury teacher who is alleged to have sexually abused a male student from another school board and to have breached a court‑ordered release condition.
