Rockledge teacher barred from Florida classrooms after spirits, pellet gun, and fraudulent job application allegations

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – A former Rockledge High School teacher lost his shot at a Florida educator’s certificate in 2019 after the state accused him of telling students a demonic energy came from the bathroom, keeping a pellet gun in his classroom, and submitting a fraudulent job application — allegations he calls a “total, big, big misunderstanding.” The Florida Education Practices Commission accepted a settlement agreement on July 23, 2019, in Altamonte Springs that formally closes the door on Edward Tardif’s teaching career for at least five years. What the state says Tardif did The Florida Department of Education filed nine counts of statute and rule violations against Tardif stemming from the 2017-2018 school year at Rockledge High, where he taught criminal justice and directed the district’s criminal justice academy. According to the state’s Notice of Reasons, Tardif: - Told students that demonic energy came from the bathroom - Told one student she was his “spirit daughter” in a past life and told another he was her “spirit husband” - Held meditation sessions during class time - Attempted to smoke with a student - Kept a pellet gun in his classroom, which was discovered during a search - Contacted students on social media at inappropriate times, including while a district investigation into his conduct was underway The state also accused Tardif of submitting false or fraudulent information on his 2014 application to Rockledge High School related to his previous law enforcement duties — a charge that carries separate rule violation counts for dishonesty and misrepresentation of professional qualifications. Texts to students during investigation The social media contact drew particular attention from state investigators. According to the document, while the Brevard County school district was actively investigating his behavior in April 2018, Tardif reached out to students and wrote: “wish I was dead... did I ever say or did anything offensive to any of you.” The district issued Tardif a letter of reprimand on April 27, 2018. On May 11, 2018, it informed him the district would not be recommending his reappointment to the school board. Settlement terms: 5-year bar, fine, ethics course Rather than contest the allegations at a hearing, Tardif entered into a settlement agreement with the Commissioner of Education. Under its terms, he: - Accepts the denial of his current Florida educator’s certificate application - Is barred from applying or reapplying for a Florida educator’s certificate for five years - Will serve two years of probation upon any future employment requiring an educator’s certificate - Must pay a $750 fine to the Education Practices Commission within the first year of probation - Must pay $150 per probation year to cover the cost of monitoring - Must complete an in-service ethics course within the first year of probation The settlement agreement neither admits nor denies the allegations. If Tardif violates any condition, the state can seek sanctions up to and including permanent revocation of his certificate and a permanent bar from reapplication. Tardif: ‘Totally taken out of context’ Tardif pushed back on the findings in an interview, calling them false. “This is a total, big, big misunderstanding,” he said. On the demonic energy allegation specifically, Tardif offered an explanation: “I made a reference that maybe there’s something evil in the bathroom because there were kids coming out with red eyes.” He said he suspected drug use and called his comments “off-key.” “If I was reading the article, I would say it’s very strange, very bizarre, but it’s just totally taken out of context,” Tardif said. Tardif said he has not been in a classroom since the district did not reappoint him and believes he will never teach again.