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July 10, 2025 - 7:00 PM
A Kamloops high school teacher who demeaned an Indigenous student, called another student an "unflattering" name, complimented a Grade 11 girl on her legs, and told his class he
was "not a pedophile," has been suspended.
The string of incidents took place during the 2022-2023 school year and resulted in Todd Erin Graham receiving a one-day suspension.
"Graham failed to respect appropriate boundaries, making students feel uncomfortable," a July 8 BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision says.
The decision says Graham was teaching a fitness and conditioning class to Grade 11 students when he separated the girls from the boys.
"Graham told the girls that he was 'not a pedophile' but that he might have to 'grab them' to show them proper form or to spot them," the decision reads. "Graham then told them that he had no attraction to them as he was 52 and they were 15."
The students reported feeling "uncomfortable" by the comments.
The decision says Graham would occasionally touch students to help them with their form or identify muscle groups they were working.
"Some female students reported feeling uncomfortable as a result," the decision says.
On one occasion, Graham touched a student's chest while they were doing a bench press and said, "can you feel that?" referring to their muscles. On another occasion, he pushed on a student's hips while they were doing a squat repetition.
"One day, as (a) student was using the leg press machine, Graham gave a compliment about her legs. (The) Student reported feeling uncomfortable with Graham’s remark," the decision says.
Following the incident, the school district issued Graham a letter of discipline and made him attend a boundaries course.
The regulator also disciplined Graham regarding other incidents.
The decision says he singled out a "diverse learner" in front of their classmates and used an "unflattering" term. He also singled out an Indigenous student in front of the class in a "manner which was demeaning to (the) student specifically and to Indigenous peoples generally."
"Graham’s word choices and comments were contrary to (the) standard which requires teachers to respect and value the history of First Nations, Inuit and Metis in Canada and to contribute toward truth, reconciliation and healing. Graham’s actions harmed the First Nations students in his class and did not contribute towards truth, reconciliation and healing," the regulator said.
The school district issued another letter of discipline and ordered Graham to complete courses, the Four Seasons of Reconciliation and the San’Yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program.
Graham, who has been teaching in BC for 25 years, was issued a one-day suspension.
"Graham failed to create a positive learning environment or to model appropriate behaviour," the decision reads. "Graham’s conduct adversely impacted students."
The decision doesn't say where Graham was teaching but a 2019 Kamloops This Week article describes him as a longtime teacher at NorKam secondary.
The article says that in 2019, Graham was charged with pointing a firearm, using a firearm in a careless manner and assault with a weapon and at the time was out on bail.
It's unclear what happened to the charges, but the Kamloops Courthouse said the file was sealed, so public access is restricted.
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