A Nanaimo-Ladysmith teacher has had his teacher certification cancelled after an investigation found he had sent “sexually explicit photos” of himself to a former student.
The British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation began looking into Curtis Vizza in December 2021 after the district submitted a report about his actions in July 2021.
The investigation found that there was a “noted pattern” of female students spending time in Vizza’s classroom, around Vizza’s desk and around Vizza generally. The students would confide in him about personal matters, including health, fitness, anxiety, sex, pregnancy scares, drugs, relationships and problems in general and Vizza would provide advice despite not being a counsellor.
One student graduated in June 2019 after being in his PE class in October 2018. In December 2020, the student and Vizza connected over Snapchat and exchanged messages “which grew
increasingly sexualized and which included Vizza sending sexually explicit photos of himself.”
On June 1, 2021, the district informed Vizza that he was being investigated for inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature and was told not to discuss the matter with any student or staff member other than his union representative. The next day, Vizza wrote to the student to apologize.
The district ended Vizza’s employment in November 2021.
Vizza’s certificate of qualification has been suspended as a result, and he is not permitted to re-apply for five years.
Laura Brougham
