B.C. Teacher Suspended After Dry Ice Classroom Explosion Damages Ceiling
A teacher in British Columbia's southeast Kootenays region has been disciplined following a classroom incident involving dry ice that resulted in a small explosion, causing damage to the ceiling. The teacher allowed sixth-grade and kindergarten students to handle the hazardous material without proper safety equipment or adequate supervision, according to regulatory findings.
Regulatory Action and Suspension Details
David William Popoff, a Grade 6 teacher, received a 10-day suspension of his teaching certificate from the school district. Additionally, the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation has imposed an extra two-day suspension scheduled for June. The incident occurred in October 2024 when Popoff brought dry ice—the solid, frozen form of carbon dioxide—into the classroom without obtaining permission from school authorities.
The demonstration involved mixed-age groups of students, with Popoff instructing sixth-graders that they could handle the extremely cold substance with their bare hands, despite the known risks of cold burns and frostbite. During the activity, the teacher briefly left the room, leaving only an education assistant to supervise the classroom.
Explosion Incident and Safety Violations
According to the consent resolution agreement, one student placed dry ice into a water bottle and sealed the lid. The subsequent pressure buildup caused the bottle to explode violently, propelling it upward into a ceiling tile and creating a hole while scattering shards throughout the room. Some students and the education assistant were splashed with water during the incident, and several children were frightened, though fortunately no injuries were reported.
The regulator determined that Popoff failed to follow established safety protocols for handling dry ice, which mandate the use of protective gloves, safety glasses, appropriate clothing, and adequate ventilation. Investigators noted that no protective equipment was provided to students during the demonstration. In a separate incident the day before the explosion, Popoff had also handled dry ice with his bare hands and even placed it in his mouth during another class demonstration.
Teacher's Response and Professional Consequences
When questioned by school district officials about the incident, Popoff appeared unremorseful and minimized the safety concerns, placing blame on the student for the explosion. He stated that he would not alter his teaching approach if given the opportunity to repeat the lesson, though he acknowledged he might feel differently if someone had been injured.
In the consent resolution agreement, Popoff admitted that his conduct constituted professional misconduct. Commissioner Donnaree Nygard, who imposed the additional two-day suspension effective June 17 and 18, stated that Popoff "created an unsafe environment" by disregarding safety guidelines and demonstrated "inadequate regard for students' developmental maturity and emotional and physical safety."
This case highlights the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols in educational settings, particularly when involving potentially hazardous materials with young students. The regulatory actions underscore the responsibility educators bear for maintaining safe learning environments and following established safety procedures during classroom demonstrations.
