Former British Columbia Teacher Handed Lifetime Ban After Sexual Relationship with Former Student

A former British Columbia teacher has been barred for life from the teaching profession following an investigation into an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former student. The sanction was handed down by the Provincial Commissioner for Teacher Regulation after the educator, Theodore Donald Ewald, admitted to professional misconduct and consented to the lifetime ban. According to official regulatory consent documents, Ewald had previously served as the instructor for the individual, identified as "Student A." The student was described as a vulnerable Indigenous student who shared a keen interest in land-based and local cultural education—subjects that fell within Ewald’s teaching responsibilities. The two maintained contact after Student A completed their schooling. Approximately five months following the student's completion of studies, Ewald took the former pupil on an overnight trip, during which a sexual relationship was initiated. Regulatory findings indicate that this relationship continued for approximately six months. Ewald admitted that his actions constituted professional misconduct. In reviewing the case, the Commissioner emphasized that Ewald misused the position of power and trust inherent to his role as an educator, ultimately causing harm to the former student's emotional safety and overall well-being. Records show that Ewald's teaching certificate had already lapsed in November 2025 due to non-payment of fees. Under the newly issued lifetime ban, he will be permanently disqualified from applying for or re-obtaining a teaching certificate in British Columbia.