Vancouver high school teacher disciplined after complaints about classroom behaviour

An empty hallway is seen at a school in Vancouver, on Sept. 5, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A Vancouver high school teacher has been disciplined by B.C.’s teacher regulator following an investigation into complaints about his behaviour towards students.

Frank Ian Weniger admitted to professional misconduct stemming from two separate complaints, detailed in a consent resolution agreement recently published by the B.C. Commissioner of Teacher Regulation.

The complaints arose during Weniger’s work with students in different classrooms during the 2021–22 and 2023–24 school years, according to the agreement.

The first case dates back to 2021, when concerns were raised about Weniger’s conduct in a Grade 10 social studies class.

According to the decision, students reported that Weniger frequently appeared frustrated and raised his voice. Some said the behaviour made them feel uncomfortable or anxious.

The agreement outlines seven examples of “inappropriate, demeaning and sarcastic comments” Weniger made to his students, including times when he mocked their pronunciation or questioned how they’d passed previous grades of math.

During one class on immigration, Weniger singled out one student and said “I’m guessing you’re not from here. If you knew how many diseases there were in Canada, would you still have come here?” the agreement states.

When students were talking in class, Weniger would sarcastically refer to them as “professors” and ask if they wanted to teach the lesson, according to the notice.

Students also reported feeling uncomfortable about Weniger sending them online messages late in the evening through Microsoft Teams, including one exchange where he referenced a student’s home address.

The Vancouver School District suspended Weniger five days without pay in 2022 as a result of those incidents.

The second case involved Weniger’s conduct in an English Language Learner class during the 2023-2024 school year.

According to the agreement, students reported feeling “nervous, scared and intimidated” because of Weniger’s visible anger and frustration in class.

The decision goes on to explain that when students did not understand the class materials, “Weniger would repeat a student’s mistake out loud until people laughed.”

One student said they stopped asking to use the washroom because the teacher required them to answer a question about class material before leaving.

Another student with anxiety reported having panic attacks in class and said they were afraid of being humiliated in front of classmates. The agreement says the student later experienced a mental health crisis, with their classroom experience identified as a contributing factor.

The agreement also describes a Valentine’s Day incident where Weniger ordered an anonymous gift—including a rose, candy and a singing telegram—for a Grade 11 student in his class. Student council members declined to process the order after raising concerns with a staff sponsor.

The district issued a 10-day suspension in 2024, but Weniger had already resigned from his job earlier that year.

Under the agreement with the teacher regulator, Weniger admitted the conduct amounted to professional misconduct and had his teaching certificate suspended for three days in March 2026.

Regulators said the discipline reflects findings that he failed to treat students with dignity and respect, while also failing to create a safe and inclusive classroom environment.

The decision notes Weniger completed a “Creating a Positive Learning Environment” course through the Justice Institute of B.C. in 2024.