An alternative education teacher has avoided losing his registration despite a domestic violence conviction for a "highly dangerous" assault where he slammed a woman headfirst into a carpeted floor.
The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal censured Kahukura Valdemar Bentson and imposed strict conditions on his practising certificate for the next 12 months after a Complaints Assessment Committee referral.
The tribunal gave "serious contemplation" to de-registering Bentson but ultimately decided to step back from cancellation.
It reached its decision after hearing about his deep remorse, a series of severe personal hardships that destabilised his well-being at the time, and his strong commitment to mentoring vulnerable youth.
The primary incident occurred on May 19, 2020, during an argument at a house.
