Manitoba appointed Noni Classen as the province's commissioner for teacher professional conduct on May 12, 2026 [1].
This appointment is a central part of a broader effort to overhaul how the province handles educator misconduct. By establishing a dedicated commissioner and a new conduct system, the government intends to increase accountability and prioritize student safety across the province.
Classen is now responsible for overseeing investigations into complaints against teachers [1]. Her role coincides with the launch of a new governing system for teacher conduct, which includes the creation of an online registry [2]. This registry is designed to provide transparency regarding the professional standing of educators, and to prevent misconduct from going unchecked [2].
The transition comes amid a dispute over the departure of the previous commissioner. The premier said the former commissioner was fired for working in Florida and did not resign [3]. However, the former commissioner said the province was aware she was working from Florida [2].
Classen's mandate focuses on the implementation of these new oversight mechanisms to ensure that investigations are handled consistently [1]. The provincial government believes that a more rigorous system of oversight will better protect students from harm, and improve the overall integrity of the teaching profession [2].
“Manitoba appointed Noni Classen as the province's commissioner for teacher professional conduct.”
The appointment of Noni Classen and the introduction of a public registry signal a shift toward greater transparency in Manitoba's education sector. By moving away from internal or opaque disciplinary processes and establishing a formal commissioner, the province is attempting to close loopholes that may have allowed misconduct to be overlooked or hidden.
