Former SD42 teacher faces one-year application ban after causing physical and emotional harm to students

A retired School District 42 teacher cannot apply for a certificate of qualification, an independent school teaching certificate, or any other teaching authorization for one year after an investigation into his behaviour. 

The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation concluded John Peter Rocca “caused physical and emotional harm to students” as a teacher for SD42. 

Rocca retired from the district on May 2021 and relinquished his teaching qualification certification in August of the same year — shortly after SD42 reported him to the commissioner following incidents with several students.

The recently-published consent resolution agreement describes Rocca commenting on one student’s appearance, giving them ‘fist bumps,’ occasionally putting his hand on their waist or shoulder and asking about their personal life. He also hit them on the thigh with a rolled-up paper as he was walking by, making them feel uncomfortable.

With another student, he asked personal questions about their family and about their post-secondary plans. Numerous times, he came up behind them and touched their shoulders. He’s reported saying, “Can you smile? You should smile more, you have such a nice smile.”

Rocca taught another student in his grade 9 class. He would get close to the student and say, “Oh you’re like a model,” while balancing papers on their head.

He told students: “older men are better” which is “why girls like older men.” He referenced female students as “small”, “adorable”, “sweet” and “cute.”

Rocca faced discipline from SD42 in 2003, 2001 and 1998. In 2003, the district issued Rocca a letter of discipline after allegations he made unnecessary physical contact with female students and personal comments. He was suspended for five days without pay, and part of his agreed to conditions upon returning to work included not touching female students.

In ‘01, the district issued him a written reprimand after allegations he lent his car to an unlicensed student, who then got into an accident.

In ‘98, the district assistant superintendent told him he shouldn’t give rides to female students after basketball practices or games.

Rocca’s previous employer, SD35 (Langley), suspended him without pay after an investigation into allegations he had engaged in “improper of touching of students and that he had used offensive language.” He quit SD35 before the investigation finished.

In October of 2021, the commissioner ordered an investigation, and in November 2023, the commissioner proposed a consent resolution agreement to Rocca. He faces a one-year ban on reapplication.

Rocca signed the agreement on May 9 of this year.