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National Post

Jamie Sarkonak: Education student punished for questioning decolonization sues UWO

Article content Munn ultimately found a classroom placement and received positive reviews, but she was now months behind her fellow students. More trouble followed the next year: the Thames Valley District School Board, where she had taught adults for years on contract, wouldn't hire her. She ultimately graduated in 2024. Article content Some justice has already been done: Munn's treatment by her associate dean was tried before a university senate board in 2023, which found that the associate dean treated Munn unfairly in a number of ways. Article content Munn's mental health suffered throughout the ordeal, as did her reputation and career. To compensate, she's suing the university for negligence, harassment, breach of contract, defamation, infliction of mental distress, discrimination contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code and more. Article content 'Although she has now managed to find a contract position at a local school, the reputational damage caused by Western is such that she will never achieve the employment security she had expected to achieve with her degree,' explained the statement of claim. Article content Article content Munn's experience was 'immensely stressful,' said Bildy, who added that ideological pressure in the education profession seems to be growing. Bildy was also the lawyer of the late Ontario principal Richard Bilkszto, who took his own life in 2023 in the course of suing the Toronto District School Board for bullying that allegedly occurred after he questioned an anti-racism instructor's teachings. Article content 'It would seem to me that there is a general feeling of unease amongst teachers who do not agree with the prevailing ideological orthodoxy,' Bildy said. 'If you don't share that worldview, you do not get to express your opinion. It's very simple. If you do, you are very likely going to face consequences for that. Article content 'Your union is likely not going to assist you. And you may find yourself before the Ontario Teachers College as well, facing a threat to your license. So most teachers who do not share that orthodoxy just keep their mouths shut and hope for an early retirement. It's very sad.' Article content