Teacher who grinded with former students at a nightclub has suspension lifted

A Queensland teacher who was suspended five years ago after she grinded with former students at a nightclub has been given approval to return to the classroom.

The teacher socialised with former students, specifically an ex-student who had graduated in 2018, “which included dancing within close proximity and grinding”.. File picture: istock

The suspension of a Queensland teacher has been lifted five years after she grinded with former students at a nightclub.

The beginner teacher, who was in her 20s at the time, attended the club with another teacher in 2019.

While at the nightclub she socialised with former students, specifically an ex-student who had graduated in 2018, “which included dancing within close proximity and grinding”.

She then allowed her teacher friend and another former male student to spend the night at her house, the tribunal heard.

The teacher also misled investigators who were probing the conduct of her teacher friend who was ultimately banned for three years and two months for intimate conduct with a former student.

The teacher, currently before the tribunal, was stood down in early 2020 before resigning her role and her registration was suspended in August 2021 by the Queensland College of Teachers.

The College referred the matter to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for disciplinary proceedings in January this year.

It heard the teacher had taken steps to address her behaviour including completing a course on professional boundaries.

The teacher accepted that grounds for disciplinary action were established and had demonstrated rehabilitation and insight, the tribunal heard.

In its decision the tribunal said it was well established that contact between a teacher and a former student may be inappropriate due to a power imbalance.

“At least some of the students on the evening addressed her as ‘miss’, which indicates that they still viewed her in the context of a teacher – student relationship at that time,” the decision said.

“The actions of the teacher in behaving in these ways do not satisfy the standards of behaviour generally expected of a teacher.”

The tribunal accepted the teacher allowed her personal and friendship values to overshadow her professional responsibilities as a teacher,

It said there was a low risk of the behaviour being repeated.

Noting the time that had passed the tribunal said there should be minimal impediment to the teacher seeking to recommence her career.

It ordered her suspension be ended.

Originally published as Teacher who grinded with former students at a nightclub has suspension lifted