A former teacher has been struck from the register over several instances of "aggressive and intimidating" behaviour where he grabbed, shouted, and swore at colleagues and students.
A recently released decision from the Teacher's Disciplinary Tribunal outlined Alan Peter Carson's behaviour, finding it "reflects adversely" on his fitness to teach.
In one incident, he left a colleague sobbing. In another, he hit a disruptive student with a book
The incidents occurred between 2020 and 2023, when Carson worked as Head of Learning and Achievement Sciences at Okaihau College in Okaihau, in the Far North.
After a staff meeting in November 2020, Carson became upset about being omitted from a school camp and responded "angrily" to another teacher. His tone and body language were described as "threatening", leaving his colleague "shaken and distressed".
He went to the teacher's classroom later that day. Despite being asked to leave, he approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
When another teacher stepped in, Carson "stormed out", requesting someone else take his classes for the day. The school issued him a verbal warning for the incident.
Carson confronted another colleague following a meeting at the school's marae in June 2021 – swearing at and standing close to her.
When she turned back to the marae, Carson "grabbed her shoulder or the hood of her sweatshirt to stop her".
"[The teacher] was very upset, shaking, sobbing, and frightened," the Tribunal's written decision said.
She offered her resignation to the deputy principal, and Carson later apologised. He was told that any repeat behaviour would require further action.
During a fire drill in 2022, Carson shouted, "I will f****ing kill you", leaving a colleague and students "shocked".
The other teacher was holding the classroom door shut during the drill, so her "difficult" class could be released in an orderly fashion.
Carson was the block's fire warden and became concerned the alarm was real. When he arrived at the classroom, he pulled the door open, hurting his colleague's shoulder.
“If you do that again, I will f***ing kill you," he yelled, without knowing who was behind the door.
Carson admitted his actions were "inappropriate and caused distress", saying stress, difficulties with anger management, and depression contributed to his behaviour. He started having fortnightly meetings with the principal to help manage his stress levels.
'Inevitable' incident with disruptive student
In November 2024, Carson resigned from the school following an incident with a disruptive student.
The Year 8 had "significant behavioural challenges" and a disciplinary history. Carson understood the student was placed in his class as he had been more successful in managing them than other teachers.
On the day of the incident, the student arrived late, talked loudly with others, didn't have an exercise book, and found it difficult to get on with their work.
At some point during the class, Carson approached the student and raised his voice.
"[The student] told Mr Carson to 'get the f*** out of my face' or words to that effect," the tribunal said.
Carson moved closer to the student, telling them to "f*** off", before grabbing and pulling the student up by their jersey. He then slapped the student on the head with a book, and they left the classroom crying.
During an informal meeting with the principal, Carson said the student was being very "willful". He said the hit was not deliberate and the student had bumped their head on the book while standing.
Carson was apologetic for the incident but said it felt "inevitable". He resigned from the school days later and has since retired from teaching.
'Serious departures from expected professional standards'
In his submissions to the tribunal, Carson admitted to the conduct and did "not seek to minimise the seriousness of the incidents".
He said his behaviour towards the Year 8 was a response to “extreme provocation”.
Carson described "stress and depression" as contributing to his behaviour.
The tribunal found Carson guilty of serious misconduct and said his behaviour reflected poorly on his ability to teach.
"Teaching requires emotional regulation, professional judgment, and respectful interactions with colleagues and learners," it said.
"Aggressive and intimidating conduct towards colleagues, and physically intrusive conduct such as grabbing a colleague, are serious departures from expected professional standards."
It said the disruptive student being placed in his class "heightened, rather than reduced, the need for calm, professional and careful management".
"It did not justify physical force or abusive language."
Carson had his teaching registration cancelled, was censured, and ordered to pay $6,213.11 in costs.
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