Teachers Charged With Child Crimes Get Teaching Certifications Suspended

Multiple teachers charged with sexual abuse to children are now getting their teaching certifications suspended. 

For one, it comes years after he was arrested for inappropriately touching students.  

Superintendent Ryan Walters says he’s pleased with the suspension of several teaching certificates, but there are multiple other teachers that still have certificates even though they face criminal charges. 

“I am taking a much different approach than my predecessor. We are not waiting for charges to be brought to pull licenses. We now have more investigators in the agency,” said Walters.

Today Walters and board suspended 9 teaching certificates including former Wewoka Middle School Principal Cody Barlow.

He was arrested in 2022 after an OSBI investigation into inappropriately touching male students on campus during school hours. Wewoka Public Schools recently settled the civil suit for nearly $2 million.

Another teacher with criminal charges had his license suspended.

Lexington coach Vernon Thetford was recently charged and arrested for child sex crimes.

Now, an officer will review the case for all 9 teachers before their teaching licenses can be revoked.

That review has already been carried out in the case against Deer Creek teacher Amanda Bristow.

She’s accused of giving students gummies before nap time. 

Her license could be revoked as early as June's meetings.