A B.C. teacher was suspended for weeks for engaging in inappropriate behaviour with a student and violating professional boundaries.
According to the British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, Alex Chen, who was a teacher at School District No. 63 (Saanich), was suspended for events that occurred over two years.
The decision doesn’t specify whether the events occurred at a high school or an elementary school.
Chen knew a student, referred to as Student A, and for a two-year period, after that student transferred to a different school, Chen sent them over 80 emails. He also provided them with a gift card, recommended that the student listen to sexually explicit music, and initiated correspondence with Student A in the summer and during school breaks.
One of the messages he sent Student A was at 11:55 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
He also attended games that Student A was scheduled to play, even though Chen wasn’t involved as a coach or a teacher. The decision states that Chen “often” initiated the email conversations.
The Commissioner said that Chen’s conduct with Student A continued for a “significant period of time” and involved repeated violations of boundaries.
On May 5, 2025, the District terminated Chen’s employment.
The District has previously raised concerns about Chen.
“On March 10, 2025, the District issued Chen a letter of discipline following
allegations that he had filmed personal social media content during scheduled work
time, on District property and in which he identified himself as a teacher at the
School,” the decision states.
It adds, “In a number of these social media posts, Chen used artwork, thank-you cards
and gifts created and/or provided by students, without express permission to do so. In
the course of the District investigation, the District reminded Chen that creating social
media content during school hours constituted time theft.”
Chen had also fraudulently booked time off as sick, even though he was disciplined for time theft one day earlier.
On top of his suspension, the B.C. teacher was ordered to complete a course on Reinforcing Respectful Professional Boundaries at the Justice Institute of B.C.