Pehgee Agnes Boholst Aranas, a B.C. school principal, was suspended for three days and ordered to take courses after spanking a Grade 1 First Nations student in November 2023 and later making comments 'inconsistent' with truth and reconciliation. She was fired in May 2024 for sharing details of the incident and the reporter's name.
B.C. principal spanked First Nations student, made remarks ‘inconsistent’ with reconciliation
Vancouver
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Pehgee Agnes Boholst Aranas, a B.C. school principal, was suspended for three days and ordered to take courses after spanking a Grade 1 First Nations student in November 2023 and later making comments 'inconsistent' with truth and reconciliation. She was fired in May 2024 for sharing details of the incident and the reporter's name.
Trending- 1 June 2021: Aranas disciplined for 'inappropriate comments' about the First Nations community.
- 2 November 2023: Aranas spanked a Grade 1 First Nations student.
- 3 After November 2023: Aranas met with First Nation members, made false claims and inconsistent comments.
- 4 After meeting: Aranas suspended pending investigation, told not to share details.
- 5 After suspension: Aranas told 'at least two employees' about the incident and the name of the person who reported her.
- 6 May 2024: Aranas was fired.
- 7 After May 2024: B.C.’s Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decided on additional punishment.
- Three-day suspension of teaching certificate for Aranas
- Requirement to complete 'Creating a Positive Learning Environment' and 'Systemic Racism in Canada' courses
- Negative impact on the community’s feelings of trust and safety in the education system
- Aranas's firing from her position
What: A B.C. school principal, Pehgee Agnes Boholst Aranas, spanked a Grade 1 First Nations student and made inappropriate comments, leading to her suspension and required courses.
When: Spanking incident in November 2023; fired in May 2024; disciplinary measures decided after review; previous incident in June 2021.
Where: British Columbia (B.C.), at a certified band school (name not specified).
Why: The principal's actions (spanking, false claims, inappropriate comments, sharing confidential information) violated professional conduct and were inconsistent with truth and reconciliation efforts.
How: The incident was witnessed and reported by another school employee. The principal was suspended, then fired, and subsequently received a three-day suspension of her teaching certificate and was ordered to complete two courses by B.C.’s Commissioner for Teacher Regulation.