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| quote: | Teacher accused of sex with teen
40-year-old woman charged over alleged affair with former student at Scarborough elementary school
An elementary school French teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her former students has been arrested and suspended from the Toronto District School Board.
Mary Gowans, a popular teacher at Joseph Howe Senior Public School in Scarborough, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
Police allege the 40-year-old Gowans and young teenage student had been "engaged in an inappropriate relationship" since June 2009.
In an effort to protect the identity of the student, investigators said they are not releasing the victim's gender, although numerous police officials with knowledge of the case referred to the student as a "he."
Gowans was arrested at the home she shares with her husband and two young children around 7 p.m. on Monday. Her school sent a letter home with students Tuesday afternoon.
"As of today and pending outcome of this matter, Ms. Gowans will not be at Joseph Howe Sr. PS and a qualified supply teacher has been retained," principal David Milgram wrote.
"We know that this situation may be difficult for some of our students and will ensure that supports are in place for those students."
Det. Const. Sylvain Lapensee said police began their investigation after the victim and their family came to 43 Division. He would not comment on specifics of the allegations.
A single sexual assault charge could relate to one or numerous incidents. The exploitation charge was laid because of the power imbalance between a student and teacher.
School board officials would not say how long Gowans had been teaching at Joseph Howe, located in the Lawrence Ave. E. and Port Union Rd. area in Scarborough, but it appears she had only worked there for a few years.
She spent most of her time teaching French to Grade 7 and 8 students, but she was also responsible for the Grade 8 physical education class. In 1993, she was certified to teach languages by the Ontario College of Teachers.
Neighbours say both Gowans and her husband, who works for the government, are avid runners.
"I am just in total shock," said one neighbour. "I definitely don't believe it."
The Gowans moved into their two-storey brick home, which is just a few blocks away from Joseph Howe, about 10 years ago. She appears to be very protective of her children, a kindergarten-age girl and a boy of about 10, neighbours said. The couple seem very social and often have friends over.
A friend of Gowans said she was shocked to hear of the allegations. "It's so contrary to what I know of her character and the quality of her person," said Mari Kim, a PhD student at Emory University in Atlanta, who met Gowans in junior high.
Kim said Gowans has an attractive personality and has always been very popular. "I could see her being a target for students' affections," Kim said, but added that Gowans seemed to have a "healthy sense" of professional boundaries.
On Joseph Howe's website, a newsletter to parents indicated Gowans was planning a Grade 8 grad trip to Quebec in June.
Students praised Gowans' fashionable clothing, easy marking and gentle demeanour on www.ratemyteachers.com. On Facebook, students posted messages of support on a previously created fan page devoted to Gowans. In an email to the Star, a former student said she was the "nicest teacher."
"I had her as a French teacher (and) you will never expect someone like her to do something like that," wrote Keeran Srithathan, now at Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute. "I hope for the best for her."
Gowans is scheduled to appear in court on March 1.
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