The Ontario College of Teachers has found former Rainbow District School Board teacher Barry David Williams guilty of professional misconduct.
A disciplinary hearing for Williams — who was accused of sending inappropriate social media messages of a sexual nature to students in 2019 while employed by the Rainbow District School Board — was held by the Ontario College of Teachers on Dec. 19.
The college’s website said Williams was found guilty of professional misconduct at the Dec. 19 hearing. It also said he has been reprimanded, and this information will be published in an official Ontario College of Teachers publication.
Williams’ Certificate of Qualification and Registration has also been suspended for 22 months, effective Jan. 3, 2023. Accordingly, his status with the Ontario College of Teachers is currently listed as “suspended.”
The college website also noted that on Nov. 24, 2022, Williams resigned his Certificate of Qualification and Registration. Williams has also undertaken not to reapply for reinstatement of his Certificate of Qualification and Registration, said the website.
The notice of hearing issued before the disciplinary hearing took place said Williams is accused of committing acts that are “dishonourable or unprofessional” and that he “engaged in conduct unbecoming to a member.”
The accusations in the notice of hearing said Williams sent social media messages to five female students at the school where he was teaching. The document does not say at what school Williams was employed when the incidents are alleged to have occurred.
One of the students said Williams sent her a series of social media messages between July 1 and Sept. 16, 2019.
These messages allegedly include making sexual advances toward the student, acknowledging that he has a wife, but stating that she was “sick” and that “a man has needs,” sending one or more images of himself shirtless, sending one or more images exposing his genitals and requesting that the student send him sexual photographs of herself.
Another student said Williams sent her social media messages between July 1 and July 6, 2019.
Those allegedly include telling her that he had been investigated by the Children’s Aid Society for molesting a child, or words to that effect, stating that he had been drinking and that she should come to his house because his wife and children were out of town, or words to that effect, and telling her that she was beautiful and intelligent, and that he considered her to be one of his most trusted friends.
A third student said between July 1, 2019 and Sept. 9, 2019, Williams sent social media messages to her asking her to be his mistress, or words to that effect, and suggesting that she come over to his residence and have a drink.
The Ontario College of Teachers’ hearing was to “decide whether the allegations are true” and whether Williams “is guilty of professional misconduct.”
The Rainbow District School Board confirmed in November that Williams is no longer employed by the board. "We take these matters very seriously," said a spokesperson for the board.
A spokesperson for Greater Sudbury Police Service said in November police had not received a complaint regarding this matter.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com's associate content editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.
