B.C. teacher loses licence after sending inappropriate Instagram messages to student

A B.C. teacher has lost his teaching certificate after admitting to sending a series of inappropriate messages to a vulnerable student on Instagram about semi-nude photos.

Jeffrey Allan Jennens, who taught at a school district in B.C., admitted his conduct "constitutes professional misconduct" and agreed to the cancellation of his certificate of qualification on June 22, 2026. He is banned from reapplying for five years.

According to a Consent Resolution Agreement published by the British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, Jennens had periodic text contact with the student and access to their Instagram stories and photos. After viewing semi-nude photos on the student's page, he sent a series of explicit messages saying things like "Your shower story turned me on a lot" and "I like seeing you in a mini skirt."

He also added that there are "so many things" he usually isn't allowed to say and that he was "taking this opportunity" to say them. The Commissioner determined that Jennens' behavior was a serious breach of his position of power and trust, causing harm to the student's "emotional safety and well-being."

Jennens said he was intoxicated when he sent the messages but acknowledged this does not excuse his conduct. In May 2023, he signed an Undertaking Not to Practice, preventing him from teaching in any role. He resigned from his school district on June 30, 2025.