BC teacher disciplined for not using students' preferred pronouns, teaching derogatory slang

A BC teacher has been reprimanded for failing to create a positive and inclusive classroom including not using students’ preferred pronouns, calling students slackers and teaching students derogatory words in French.

A consent resolution between the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation and William Donald Harvey, who was a teacher in Burnaby, was published online on Tuesday.

According to the agreement, the issues happened between 2021 and 2023 when Harvey was teaching French to Grade 11 students in School District 41.

The commissioner said he “regularly failed” to use the preferred pronouns of some students even after being reminded repeatedly of their preferred pronouns.

The summary said the teacher would sometimes provided comments and criticism about students’ grades in front of their classmates.

“On or around Nov. 10, 2023, he told the class that three students who were falling behind were slackers,” the agreement said.

In 2021, Harvey reportedly asked a student of Japanese descent whether it was a “cultural thing” for Japanese people “to drink more than you can handle and then throw up at parties.”

On another occasion in September 2021, while teaching Grade 9 Sciences Humaines, Harvey was explaining the use of the suffix “stan” as it related to the naming of courts and what people from such countries were called.

“For example, people from Afghanistan are called ‘Afghans’ and people from Uzbekistan are known as ‘Uzbeks.’ Harvey also discussed people from Pakistan and the term ‘Paki,’” the commissioner said.

“A student whose family was originally from Pakistan reported feeling very embarrassed, offended, and upset as a result.”

In October 2023, the teacher was working on vocabulary with his Grade 11 French language class and taught students the French word for “sl*t” which resulted in at least one student reporting feeling very uncomfortable.

Harvey was handed a letter of discipline in January 2024 and was directed to complete a course on classroom management, assessment in the classroom and anti-racism strategies. He completed the course in February 2024.

An investigation into the misconduct was ordered by the commissioner in July 2024.

He was ordered to complete a course in creating a positive learning environment through the Justice Institute of British Columbia by Mar. 31, 2025.

If he does not finish in that time, he can request an extension. If he doesn't complete the course by the extended deadline, he could face a suspension of his teaching certificate, the commissioner said.