A BC elementary teacher has been reprimanded after admitting to professional misconduct involving classroom management, raised voice and physical contact with students.
A consent resolution agreement from the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation says Jaya Beth Van Praagh was employed by School District No. 37 as an elementary teacher when the conduct occurred during the 2024-25 school year.
The agreement says Van Praagh was teaching a Grade 6/7 class when, on April 24, 2025, her students were outside for an Earth Week event.
During the event, she saw one student, identified as Student A, and another student, identified as Student B, with a scooter they should not have been using.
The agreement says Van Praagh addressed Student A at close range, using a tone and volume that were louder than appropriate. Student A felt singled out in front of their peers.
It also says that on at least one other occasion, Van Praagh was observed using inappropriate class-management strategies, including physical contact and a raised voice, to control student behaviour.
The Delta school district disciplined Van Praagh on June 4, 2025, by issuing a letter of discipline for "yelling at students, entering students’ personal space and making physical contact with students."
The agreement says the district had raised previous concerns with Van Praagh.
On May 10, 2024, the district issued a letter of direction telling her to treat students with dignity and respect by not singling out or yelling at students, to be respectful in tone and content, to respect students’ physical space, to create an inclusive classroom environment, to participate in a peer-support program, to take an anger-management course and to follow the Professional Standards for B.C. Educators.
The district reported Van Praagh to the commissioner on July 3, 2025. The commissioner considered the matter on Jan. 22, 2026 and proposed a consent resolution agreement.
Under the agreement, Van Praagh admitted the facts were true and admitted the conduct amounted to professional misconduct contrary to Standard 1 of the Professional Standards for B.C. Educators.
She agreed to a reprimand and must complete the Justice Institute of British Columbia course Creating a Positive Learning Environment by Sept. 8, 2026.
If she does not complete the course by that deadline, or by an extended deadline, the commissioner may require the director of certification to suspend her teaching certificate until she completes it.
The commissioner said a reprimand and coursework were appropriate because Van Praagh failed to create an emotionally safe learning environment for her students.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
