Covy Moore/Rocky View Publishing

George McDougall High School principle Ed Polhill waits to speak to media during a press conference concerning a teacher arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student Oct. 18 at the Municipal Police Building in Airdrie.

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Teacher charged with sexual assault identified

The 36-year-old George McDougall teacher who was arrested in Calgary and charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation, Oct. 17 has been idenified.

John Christopher Miller, who teaches science at the high school, was arrested after Airdrie RCMP officers were tipped off by a female, who is not involved in the case, that the teacher was having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student at the school.

The third-party girl approached officers on Oct. 16 at around 11 p.m. during a hit-and-run investigation in Airdrie and alleged the relationship between Miller, who is also an Airdrie resident, and the female student.

“No other victims have been identified,” said Inspector Tony Hamori of the Airdrie RCMP detachment. “It appears to be an isolated incident.”

According to Hamori, the alleged relationship has been ongoing for several months. Miller appeared in Airdrie court at 9:30 a.m. and was released from custody on bail, Oct. 18.

The man has been suspended from his job at the school.

George McDougall High School Principal Ed Polhill said the school is helping children cope with the news.

“Our school community is deeply alarmed over this incident,” said Polhill, who is in his first year as principal of the school.

“I want to assure our parents that we are doing whatever we can to assist our students. We currently have counselors on site to support them and our staff. We are cooperating fully with the RCMP.”

The issue is a hot topic with students at the school, with many expressing their opinions via social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook.

One student with ties to the case said the charges are overzealous.

“Miller and the girl did not do anything that a family friend wouldn’t,” he said.

“The parent of the girl was aware of their friendship and their friendship would never have been frowned upon had Miller not been a teacher. While how close they are may have been over the top for a teacher, the family knows each other, which would justify them being friends.”