A Chilliwack teacher has been reprimanded for professional misconduct, including asking Grade 5 students whether they wanted to “go to the chokey,” in reference to the movie Matilda.
In the movie, “the chokey” refers to a closet with spikes where the principal puts misbehaving kids as a form of discipline.
B.C.’s Commissioner for Teacher Regulation said in a document posted Tuesday the incidents happened when Peter Gentile was teaching on call at an elementary school in the Chilliwack School District during the 2024/2025 school year.
Gentile also used a wooden stick to loudly smack desks when trying to get students to pay attention or be quiet.
The document said in one incident when a female student was not listening, he inappropriately patted his lap and said “please, come and see me.”
When Gentile saw two student having a disagreement, he commented that the students were “bickering like a couple.”
The document also details three incidents where Gentile inappropriately commented on a child’s appearance. He told one twin student that their sibling was the better looking one and told a female student they “could use some exercise.” Gentile also said to a student whose parents would not let them be on camera for a Youtube project that he didn’t want them to “break the camera.”
The district suspended Gentile for three days without pay in February 2025. He was also required to complete a course on creating a positive learning environment, and was recommended to participate in a mentoring program.
Commissioner Donnaree Nygard said the school district had previously issued Gentile a disciplinary letter in December 2024 for inappropriate and unprofessional communication with secondary students.
The consent resolution agreement signed on March 12 said Gentile was formally reprimanded under the Teachers Act, and he is required to complete a course about professional boundaries.
