Psychologist Concedes Teacher's Actions Toward Student Were Predatory
By Amy Carmichael
Originally published by the Canadian Press, May 16, 2001
TORONTO (CP) — An Ontario teacher who was found guilty of professional misconduct for sending love letters to a 14-year-old male student was alternately described Wednesday as a sexual predator and a naive woman who saw the world through rose-coloured glasses.
Dr. Basil Orchard told an Ontario College of Teachers penalty hearing that 33-year-old Annie Markson has suffered chronic insomnia and guilt over the relationship.
"She's been in tremendous turmoil with her conscience because she thought she'd done wrong," the psychologist told the hearing that will determine whether Markson is allowed to keep her teaching licence.
"She had tremendous anxiety and remorse for letting this go as far as it went."
In February, the student, who is now 17, told a college disciplinary committee that he had five clandestine meetings with Markson and exchanged sexually explicit e-mails with her during the summer of 1998.
He said their relationship never went beyond hugs and kisses, which he initiated. The relationship came to an end when the boy's mother discovered the love letters.
Orchard said he does not think Markson was "luring the young fellow into her clutches to get him ready for sexual activity."
There was nothing in Markson's past, he added, to indicate she intentionally targeted the student.
"I couldn't find any devious stuff," he said of interviews he conducted last month with Markson. "She's a very straightforward person who I expect up to this point was a little naive and looked at the world through rose-coloured glasses."
Orchard testified that he didn't think Markson's relationship with the student was a serious offence.
"I'd say it's pretty mild."
But under cross-examination, he appeared to change his opinion when Thomas Forbes, the college's lawyer, read excerpts from the e-mails.
"Just the thought of you kissing/talking/breathing with another female except with me drives me crazy and makes me really upset!" Forbes read from one e-mail.
"It's like your (sic) mine - that's how I think and feel of you … you are mine and I am yours."
"Doesn't that start bells ringing? Don't you think we've got a predator here?" Forbes asked Orchard.
"Yes," Orchard replied.
Orchard later conceded that Markson's actions were indeed a serious violation and admitted he did not attempt to verify any of her story.
But he maintained that Markson has been plagued with guilt about the relationship, saying she has gained 60 pounds because of stress.
Earlier in the day, a psychologist testifying for the college flatly stated that Markson's actions were calculated.
In a report prepared for the college, Dr. Peter Collins, a forensic psychiatrist, wrote that in his opinion, Markson, "in her capacity as a teacher, was grooming a male student, less than half her age, for a sexual relationship."
He said that based on Markson's proclamation of love for the student, he considered her actions "serious."
The three-member disciplinary committee has a range of sanctions at its disposal, ranging from a reprimand, to suspension, or taking away Markson's licence to teach.
The regulating college had said it would like to see Markson's licence revoked and that she be made to pay $33,000 in costs for the hearing and a $5,000 fine.
It's expected a decision on Markson's fate will be delivered Thursday or Friday.
