The Discipline Committee hears matters regarding allegations of professional misconduct and/or incompetence. When it makes a finding of guilt, a summary of its decision and reasons must be published in the College’s newsletter, Connexions, as well as on the College website and CanLii.
Virginia Wai-Yee Me
DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE ORDER
Suspended Virginia Wai-Yee Me’s Certificate of Registration (registration number 57020) for a period of five months
Terms, Conditions and Limitations on the Member’s Certificate of Registration that includes mentorship
Contribution of $1,000 towards the College’s prosecution and hearing costs
Agreed Facts: Virginia Wai-Yee Me (the “Member”) was employed as a Registered Early Childhood Educator at a before- and after- school program (the “Program”) in Richmond Hill, Ontario. On one occasion, while the Member and another program staff were responsible for supervising a group of 18 children, a five-year-old child left the room unsupervised. The child walked across a busy residential street and was left outside unsupervised for approximately 15 minutes.
The child was found, crying, by a community member, who returned the child to the program. The Member was unaware the child had left and was unaccounted for during the time the child was outside. Both she and the other staff member were “shocked” when they heard that the child had been missing. After the incident, the school installed chimes on the classroom doors to sound when they open.
Finding: The Member was found guilty of several acts of professional misconduct (Ontario Regulation 223/08), including that she failed to supervise adequately a person who was under her professional supervision, that she failed to maintain the standards of the profession, that she acted or failed to act in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, and that she acted in a manner that is unbecoming a member.
Penalty: The panel directed the College’s Registrar to suspend the Member’s Certificate of Registration for a period of five months and to impose terms, conditions and limitations on the Member’s Certificate of Registration, including mandatory mentorship sessions. In addition, the Member was required to contribute $1,000 to the College’s prosecution and hearing costs.
In its decision the panel stated, “The Member cooperated with the College and, by agreeing to the facts and proposed penalty has accepted responsibility. Having considered all of these factors, the Panel was satisfied that the proposed penalty in this case was appropriate and in the public interest.”
To read the full decision, click here.
