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KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops teacher with a history of inappropriate conversations with students has landed in hot water again for telling a student with long, bejewelled nails that she may have difficulty wiping.

Scott Watson is a high school teacher in the Kamloops Thompson School District. The district filed a report in August 2019 to the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation relating to an incident that occurred in May or June of that year.

According to a resolution agreement with the commissioner reached July 18, 2019, Watson had a conversation with a student in his Math 11 class and asked questions about the teen’s manicured and jewelled nails.

“During that discussion, Watson asked the student how she washed her hair or typed given the length of her nails and the jewels,” reads the consent resolution agreement.

“Watson also commented that it would be difficult to wipe.”

According to the report, Watson acknowledged that he was referring to the bathroom when he commented to the student about her ability to wipe.

The student reportedly said she felt uncomfortable by the statement, and Watson was given a letter of discipline from the district and suspended one day without pay. He served the suspension on June 28, 2018.

The district, however, had previously raised concerns it had with Watson’s conduct which is why further action has been taken.

On Oct. 3, 2017, the district issued Watson a letter of direction after he made inappropriate comments to a student.

The district told Watson then to “take more care with your comments to students and ensure that all communications with them remain respectful.”

Then, again, on Dec. 13, 2018, the district issued Watson a letter of reprimand after he engaged in inappropriate conversations with students.

The district then directed Watson to attend the Justice Institute of BC course, reinforcing respectful professional boundaries. That course was completed in March 2018.

Despite multiple warnings and even coursework aimed at curbing inappropriate conversations, Watson then made the observations about nails to the teen.

That’s where the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation stepped in to propose a consent resolution with Watson.

That means Watson admits that the conversation with the long-nailed teen was a case of professional misconduct and contrary to the standards for education, competence and profession conduct of educators in B.C.

He will accept a reprimand under the teacher act that took effect July 19 and he is aware that the details of this incident will be published.

He also agrees not to make any statement orally or in writing, which contradicts, dispute or calls into question the terms of this agreement or the admissions made in it.

Any breach of the agreement would be viewed as professional misconduct.

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