Two Manitoba Teachers Lose Licences Over Inappropriate Student Communications

Two teachers in Manitoba, Canada, have lost their teaching licences following disciplinary investigations into inappropriate communications with students.

In separate decisions published by Manitoba’s independent teacher commissioner, Robert Gregoire and Brady Nurse were found to have engaged in professional misconduct involving students under their care.

Teacher Sent Hundreds of Personal Messages

Gregoire, who worked in the River East Transcona School Division, developed what the disciplinary report described as an “inappropriately close relationship” with a student that began when she was in Grade 8 and continued into high school.

Between 2022 and 2024, the pair exchanged more than 1,000 messages through Microsoft Teams, alongside hundreds of text messages from his personal phone. The messages included affectionate nicknames, personal conversations and invitations to meet outside school.

The report said Gregoire continued contacting the student even after a school principal cautioned him against personal messaging and reminded him of professional boundaries.

Gregoire later admitted to the facts established during the investigation and accepted that his conduct amounted to professional misconduct. He expressed remorse and surrendered his teaching certificate in May. Following the investigation, his certificate was permanently cancelled.

Second Teacher Also Loses Certification

In a separate case, Brady Nurse, formerly employed by the Portage la Prairie School Division, lost his teaching certification over inappropriate text communications with a student between October and December of the previous year.

According to the commissioner’s report, Nurse initially failed to disclose all the messages during the division’s investigation, later admitting that he withheld some because he feared they could be viewed as inappropriate.

Nurse admitted to his conduct, resigned in March and surrendered his teaching certificate in May. His certification has since been officially cancelled.

Disciplinary Records Made Public

The decisions are among the disciplinary records available through Manitoba’s online teacher misconduct dashboard, launched earlier this year to improve public access to information about professional discipline.

The cases highlight the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries between teachers and students, as well as the professional responsibility educators have to protect students’ well-being.

CBC News