Teachers accused of child crimes will have their teaching license revoked

Several teachers accused of sexually abusing children have had their teaching licenses revoked.

For one thing, this happened years after he was arrested for inappropriately touching schoolgirls.

Superintendent Ryan Walters says he is pleased with the suspension of several teaching licenses, but there are numerous other teachers who still have their teaching licenses despite facing criminal charges.

“I’m taking a very different approach than my predecessor. We’re not waiting until charges are brought to revoke licenses. We now have more investigators in the agency,” Walters said.

Today, Walters and the board revoked nine teaching licenses, including that of former Wewoka Middle School Principal Cody Barlow.

He was arrested in 2022 following an OSBI investigation into inappropriate touching of male students on campus during class time. Wewoka Public Schools recently settled the civil suit for nearly $2 million.

Another teacher had his license revoked for a criminal offense.

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

Now an official will examine the case of all nine teachers before their teaching licenses can be revoked.

This review has already been conducted in the case against Deer Creek teacher Amanda Bristow.

She is accused of giving students gummy bears before their afternoon nap.

Their license could be revoked as early as the June meetings.