The same child was \u201cforcefully\u201d put on the floor by Quinn after throwing food on the floor on another occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis caused [the child] to cry. Mr Quinn picked [him] up and said words to the effect of, \u2018Give me a cuddle, do you want another chance?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Sean Quinn initially denied the allegations made against him, saying he was “firm but fair” as an early childhood education teacher. Quinn later admitted responsibility for his actions. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n
A 3-year-old struggling to put his pants on was forced by Quinn to stay in one spot and do it by himself, with Quinn telling the \u201cvisibly upset\u201d child not to ask another teacher for help.<\/p>\n
In a later incident involving the same child, Quinn pulled the boy by his shirt and made him sit down in a chair, saying words to the effect of \u201cyou are not listening to me, now you can sit over there and you are not welcome outside\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis made [him] cry and another teacher had to console him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The same child was that day also stood over by Quinn, who pointed his finger and told the boy not to move for five minutes as he was under a \u201cyellow card\u201d after throwing a small wooden toy on to the floor.<\/p>\n
Quinn told a Teaching Council<\/a> triage committee in November 2023 he was \u201cfirm but fair\u201d and had never been violent or abusive during his 20-year career.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I put on my firm voice and \u2018disappointed face\u2019, the children respond, and I have found that this often de-escalates behaviour in the children that has the potential to intensify if not quickly addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n He believed he was the victim of collusion by other teachers.<\/p>\n But Quinn later admitted to the behaviour, accepting he was responsible for serious misconduct.<\/p>\n Quinn\u2019s actions were a clear departure from expected standards, and risked ongoing effects to the children\u2019s feelings of safety<\/a>, the tribunal found.<\/p>\nMultiple children were left in tears due to Sean Quinn’s actions, the New Zealand Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal heard.<\/p>\n