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The school sent out an email ahead of Halloween reminding staff about the harm of cultural appropriation in costume choices, listing sources on the topic that did not specifically mention blackface, the decision said. The teacher, Gorian Surlan, read the email before choosing his costume, but he did not read the included resources, it said.  

Jesin wrote that neither the principal nor the vice principal realized the teacher's face was painted black under the fabric mask during brief interactions. The teacher later removed the mask while teaching, and continued to wear a blue medical mask.

Later, at a school assembly, several teachers saw Surlan and "none of them raised concerns" about his costume, the decision said. Three students then shared their concerns about the costume with staff, it said.

"One of the students showed the vice-principal a photo of the grievor with his blue mask over his black face," the decision said. "The other two students were visibly upset, and one was crying."

The Toronto District School Board fired Surlan after an investigation, during which the teacher said he "deeply regretted" his actions and did not know the significance of blackface, the arbitrator wrote.

"He was horrified that he traumatized students and staff and had no intention to do so," the decision said. "He stated further that he was trying to educate himself and that he was ashamed of his ignorance."

The school board maintained that the teacher should have known the harm the costume could cause even if he didn't intend to offend. That provided the basis for his firing, the board argued, saying the teacher should have availed himself to training offered to promote sensitivity on these topics.

But the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation called Surlan's firing "an excessive response" given the teacher did not intend to cause harm and had immediately apologized. He also took steps to educate himself afterwards, the federation said. 

Jesin wrote in his decision that the teacher had taught at the school for years and had no prior discipline on his record. Following the incident, he took courses on anti-Black racism before he was restored to "good standing" by the Ontario College of Teachers on Oct. 1, 2023. 

The arbitrator concluded Surlan should therefore be reinstated with no loss of seniority and compensated for lost wages since that date. 

"That result reflects the severity of the incident as well as recognizing the remorse of the grievor and efforts of the grievor to be more aware of the sensitivities he must respect while teaching in the school environment," wrote Jesin.

The OSSTF did not respond Wednesday to an inquiry about the decision. The school board acknowledged a request for comment but did not respond by deadline. 

Jesin further wrote that the school community's response to the incident should be taken into consideration, as should the teacher's actions in the aftermath. 

"But surely these constituents, with the passage of time, can (be) asked to accept that the grievor has acknowledged not only his mistake, but the pain that his mistake has caused," Jesin wrote.

This report by °µÍø½ûÇø was first published Aug. 20, 2025.