Latest news with #GorianSurlan
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Toronto teacher who wore blackface as Halloween costume should be ‘reinstated,' arbitrator rules
A Toronto teacher who was fired in 2021 for wearing blackface on Halloween while claiming to be dressed as a zombie should be reinstated and compensated for nearly two years of lost wages and benefits, an arbitrator has ruled. In a decision released last week, arbitrator Norm Jesin found that while former Parkdale Collegiate Institute teacher Gorian Surlan committed 'culpable misconduct,' his unblemished 19-year career with no prior discipline should have warranted a 'significant suspension' rather than a outright termination. The decision also adds that Surlan is 'capable of rehabilitation' and suggests a return back to work with full compensation dating back to October 2023. A timeline of the incident According to an agreement statement of facts cited in the decision, Surlan arrived at work on October 29, 2021, dressed in black clothing with his face painted black using his daughter's makeup. The costume had been put together 'hastily' that morning with the assistance of his daughter, the agreed statement of facts notes. Surlan had previously read an email from the school reminding staff 'of the harm resulting from cultural appropriation when choosing a costume' but did not review the sources included in the email, according to the agreed statement of facts. At the time, he told colleagues and students his intention was to appear as a 'a zombie, or something scary'. Despite his intent. the ruling suggests that costume had a strong impact on students in his own class. The arbitrator says that one student, who texted photos to his parents, described the class as being 'shocked and upset.' In addition, the report reads that the student, 'described the class as being in disbelief that their Business teacher... would decide to wear blackface in school.' The school principal and vice-principal confronted Surlan after multiple complaints, including one student who was crying. He apologized, washed off the makeup, and continued teaching, the agreed statement of facts note. Board fired teacher, citing racism Following in the incident, the arbitrator says the Toronto District School Board received 'many calls' from parents and community members which ultimately prompted an investigation which placed Surlan on leave and later led to his termination. The board justified their decision citing racism under policy PR728 on Reporting and Responding to Racism and Hate Incidents. Investigators concluded that intent was irrelevant and that 'the impact on people, their feelings, and experiences are what is relevant in the circumstances.' Former TDSB executive superintendent Audley Salmon testified that the decision to fire Surlan was based on the severe, lasting impact on students and the community. Surlan was later found guilty of professional misconduct by the Ontario College of Teachers and had his licence suspended. However, his licence was restored after he underwent cultural sensitivity training. A relationship 'capable of rehabilitation' In the ruling, the arbitrator agreed that Surlan's actions 'may be described as a racist incident' even though he 'had no idea what his costume represented' and did not intend harm. 'Still, I cannot ignore that once the grievor realized that his costume had caused this upset, he was horrified,' the arbitrator wrote. He added that Surlan quickly educated himself, issued apologies, and completed anti-racism training ordered by the Ontario College of Teachers. In addition, the arbitrator substituted a lengthy suspension for dismissal, ruling Surlan be reinstated with no loss of seniority and compensated for lost wages dating back to October 2023. Surlan was terminated in November, 2021. 'I appreciate that the reaction of the student body as well as the community at large to the grievor's costume must properly be considered,' the arbitrator wrote. 'But surely these constituents, with the passage of time, can be asked to accept that the grievor has acknowledged not only his mistake, but the pain that his mistake has caused. In my view, this is an appropriate case for reinstatement.' CTV News Toronto has reached out to TDSB for comment and will provide an update as soon as possible.
Toronto Star
3 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Toronto teacher fired for wearing blackface should be reinstated, arbitrator rules
A Toronto high school teacher who was fired after he came to school wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume in 2021 should get his job back and be compensated for any work missed since October 2023, an arbitrator ruled late last week. Gorian Surlan, a former teacher at Parkdale Collegiate Institute, showed up for work on Oct. 29 in 2021 in what he said was a 'zombie' costume that involved him wearing all-black clothing and blackface. The incident disturbed students and parents at the high school, and resulted in Surlan's termination that year. In 2023 his teaching certificate was temporarily suspended following a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) investigation and an Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) disciplinary hearing.
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Toronto teacher fired for wearing blackface to school should get his job back, arbitrator rules
An arbitrator has ordered that a white Toronto teacher who was terminated after he showed up at school in blackface for Halloween and told people he was dressed as a zombie should be reinstated and compensated for all wages and benefits lost in the last 20 months. Article content Gorian Surlan showed remorse for his actions, according to an arbitrator, who substituted a nearly two-year suspension for the high school teacher's penalty. Surlan, who had been teaching for 19 years, came to work at Parkdale Collegiate Institute in black face makeup and black clothing on Oct. 29, 2021. Article content Article content Article content He wore the costume to an assembly that morning dubbed 'Where Everybody Belongs' that was attended by about 250 Grade 9 students and their mentors. Three students approached their vice-principal about Surlan's costume, saying he was in blackface. One student showed her a photo of his costume. Two of them were visibly upset and one was crying, Norm Jesin, the arbitrator, wrote in a decision dated Aug. 14. Article content 'He was asked if he was aware of the controversy over Justin Trudeau appearing as Aladdin in blackface. He said he was but that he was not trying to depict any person. Rather he was attempting to portray a zombie.' Article content Article content Surlan, now 63, grieved his termination, arguing he 'was unjustly discharged from his employment on November 15, 2021, contrary to the collective agreement between' the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and the Toronto District School Board. Article content Article content Born in Serbia, he witnessed many atrocities while working for the International Red Cross during the Bosnian war. Article content Those 'left a deep impact on him,' said the arbitrator. Article content 'He became a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and obtained qualifications in a number of disciplines including business studies, special education, librarianship, cooperative education and English as a second language,' Jesin said.
National Post
a day ago
- Politics
- National Post
Toronto teacher fired for wearing blackface to school should get his job back, arbitrator rules
An arbitrator has ordered that a white Toronto teacher who was terminated after he showed up at school in blackface for Halloween and told people he was dressed as a zombie should be reinstated and compensated for all wages and benefits lost in the last 20 months. Article content Gorian Surlan showed remorse for his actions, according to an arbitrator, who substituted a nearly two-year suspension for the high school teacher's penalty. Surlan, who had been teaching for 19 years, came to work at Parkdale Collegiate Institute in black face makeup and black clothing on Oct. 29, 2021. Article content Article content He wore the costume to an assembly that morning dubbed 'Where Everybody Belongs' that was attended by about 250 Grade 9 students and their mentors. Three students approached their vice-principal about Surlan's costume, saying he was in blackface. One student showed her a photo of his costume. Two of them were visibly upset and one was crying, Norm Jesin, the arbitrator, wrote in a decision dated Aug. 14. Article content 'He was asked if he was aware of the controversy over Justin Trudeau appearing as Aladdin in blackface. He said he was but that he was not trying to depict any person. Rather he was attempting to portray a zombie.' Article content Article content Article content Surlan, now 63, grieved his termination, arguing he 'was unjustly discharged from his employment on November 15, 2021, contrary to the collective agreement between' the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and the Toronto District School Board. Article content Article content Born in Serbia, he witnessed many atrocities while working for the International Red Cross during the Bosnian war. Article content Those 'left a deep impact on him,' said the arbitrator. Article content 'He became a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and obtained qualifications in a number of disciplines including business studies, special education, librarianship, cooperative education and English as a second language,' Jesin said. Article content He took sabbaticals every five years, teaching in Nigeria and Vietnam, and had no previous discipline record before the blackface incident, said the arbitrator.
