B.C. teacher suspended for sending inappropriate emails to student

An empty hallway is seen at a school in Vancouver, on Sept. 5, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A B.C. teacher agreed to a three-week suspension of his certificate after the professional regulator found he committed professional misconduct by sending inappropriate emails to a student.

Steven Lynn Reeder, a high school teacher at an independent school, entered a consent resolution agreement with the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation in April, in which he admitted to the misconduct and accepted the consequences.

The commissioner wrote that Reeder failed to maintain teacher-student boundaries and he breached his privileged position of power and trust.

The agreement concerns several inappropriate emails Reeder sent to a teenage girl—referred to as Student A—who was in a number of his classes between 2022 and 2024. Some of the messages are included in the public document.

The commissioner says Reeder and the student exchanged about 27 emails on June 25, 2024, from early in the morning to late at night.

In one, Reeder wrote: “If you need anyone to lean on—to talk to, lay your worries or complaints on, get support, or need cheering up, or share anything that you may not feel able to share with another adult—just ask, any day, any time. I am here for you and to help you. Please, you can rely on me any time. I will never betray anything you say to me...that I promise.”

In another message, Reeder references a picture where the student is leaning on him, calling it a “perfect metaphor for our friendship,” and tells her, “you can lean on me any time (physically and mentally).”

The teacher sent an email about a video the student made, complimenting her appearance, including writing, “your long hair! Love it!” and “that red dress, absolutely memorable.”

In another exchange Reeder initiated that included more than 20 emails between 7 a.m. and midnight, on June 26, 2024, he complained that he was “in the dog house” with his wife and that he was “solo tonight,” with a sad face emoji.

That day, Reeder offered the student a ride home from school, which she declined and reported the invitation made her feel uncomfortable, according to the agreement.

In an email, he told Student A that it tugged his heart strings to see her standing in the rain and “wanted to be all chivalric and that” by driving her home.

The document says that the student was uncomfortable with some of Reeder’s emails and she did not respond to any after that day.

On April 26, 2025, Reeder sent her a message saying he missed her, writing “you’ve left a mark on me. A great one” and “you’re one of those people (not students) I’ll never forget.”

After receiving that email, Student A changed her email address and did not have any further contact with Reeder.

“Reeder engaged in conduct that had the potential to compromise Student A’s emotional safety and well-being,” the document reads.

The commissioner noted Reeder’s employment at Student A’s school ended in April 2025, and that he was fired from another independent school in April of this year, but the agreement does not list a reason.

Reeder served his three-week suspension between April 13 and May 1. He must also complete the course Reinforcing Respectful Professional Boundaries by September, and may face further suspension if he fails to do so.