Chris Spence is launching an all-out fight with the Ontario College of Teachers to overturn a decision that stripped him of his teaching certificate because of plagiarism.
The former director of the Toronto District School Board has also hired a new legal team to take on the University of Toronto, so he doesn’t lose his doctorate over allegations he didn’t credit others’ work in his thesis.
“In 2013 I resigned from the TDSB over allegations of plagiarism,” Spence said in a statement to the Star. “These allegations, some of which I acknowledged and took responsibility for, related to a body of work that I had developed outside of my role as a teacher or principal or supervisory officer and I took responsibility for my actions.
“For the Ontario College of Teachers to permanently revoke my teaching certificate over this matter is disproportionate and unprecedented and I will be fighting their process and their findings and their decision” in divisional court.
Last December, the college took away his teaching licence after finding him guilty of professional misconduct, a first for a case involving plagiarism. It has not yet issued a written decision.
Spence, who is currently living and working in Chicago, has said he wants to teach again.
The Ontario College of Teachers said while some members “can appeal a disciplinary decision made by our discipline committee to a divisional court … It’s rare.”
And, “when they do, it’s usually unsuccessfully,” added spokesperson Gabrielle Barkany.
Spence has the support of two former Toronto school trustees — Bruce Davis, the one-time chair of the Toronto District School Board, and Rob Davis, who served on the Toronto Catholic board as well as city council.
The two plan to crowdfund to help Spence cover his legal fees.
“We are calling it the ‘Spence Defence,’ ” said Bruce Davis. “There is so much support for Chris Spence in the educational community and from parents and students. Chris has so much to offer, he has such leadership qualities, and we felt strongly the need to back him up.”
“The price that Chris has had to pay for his mistake is certainly disproportionate to the alleged offence,” added Rob Davis.
Spence’s thesis case at U of T resumes April 18.
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