Photo courtesy of Manfred Joehnck.
A review panel has reserved its decision on whether a former La Ronge teacher is guilty of professional misconduct.
A two-day hearing reviewing the allegations wrapped up in Regina on Wednesday.
The former teacher and girls’ basketball coach, Martina Cain, told the disciplinary panel she shared her bed with one of her students in the mid 80’s, but it was done because there was nowhere else to sleep in her small suite and because the girls parents asked her to look after the girl when they had to be out of town. Cain testified both wore pyjamas and there was never any physical contact. Both Cain and the former student told the hearing they never told anyone about the sleeping arrangements.
The sleepovers are one of four allegations against the teacher going back 30 years. Cain is also accused of having a nude hot tub with the student, conducting basketball drills where the girls had to remove an item of clothing if they missed a shot, and convincing the student to steal an A & W tray.
The lawyer for the professional conduct committee laid out his case over two days. Roger Lepage told the panel Cain should be found guilty of professional misconduct on all four allegations and she should have her teachers licence revoked and pay $10,000 in legal costs. He said the fact the allegations date back 30 years ago and that Cain has since retired has no bearing on the case.
“It’s important for the profession, for the public to be able to say retirement will not avoid a discipline hearing,” he said. “You will still have to face the consequences.”
Cain’s lawyer, Jay Watson, presented a different perspective. Watson said three of the four allegations did not happen. He said the only allegation that has credibility is the sleepovers, but Watson said times were different in the 80’s and there is no reason to believe Cain was doing anything more than trying to help the student out when she needed a place to stay.
“My view is that a different standard would apply, much the way that standards have changed with respect to doctors,” he said.
Watson is asking the discipline panel to dismiss the allegations, but said if they chose to find her guilty of professional misconduct she should face no more than a suspension. The six-member panel is now considering its decision.
Four former students testified at the hearing, all of them members of Churchill High School’s girls basketball team in the mid 80’s. All of them testified about one incident of the strip basketball drill. One said she had to remove her shorts, while another said she had to remove her t-shirt. Cain told the hearing it was only shoes or socks that were removed and if anything else was taken off, she was not aware of it and it did not happen in her presence.
It will be at least 30 days before the disciplinary brings down its decision.
Cain retired last year. The hearing was told she had a 30-year, unblemished teaching career — including 10 years as principal at Churchill High School.