A board member of the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) is expressing concerns about the district's handling of a situation involving a teacher accused of inappropriate conduct. The Phoenix Police Department is currently investigating the allegations against the late Keiko Yoshimine, a former high school teacher and coach. PVUSD has faced criticism for not informing parents and the community about the investigation.
PVUSD Governing Board Member Sandra Christensen has pointed out that the district has implemented various mental and behavioral health supports, but failed to address an immediate potential danger involving a teacher. Christensen questions the motives of district leadership and their commitment to student safety.
Christensen revealed that she had advised PVUSD leadership to inform the community about the investigation, but was met with resistance. Superintendent Troy Bales stated that legal counsel advised against disclosing the investigation until directed to do so by law enforcement.
Christensen expressed disappointment that PVUSD leadership did not provide timely and truthful information to students and families. She also emphasized the importance of addressing cases of sexual misconduct and harm to students, encouraging the public to report any relevant information to the Phoenix or Scottsdale police and PVUSD.
It should be noted that Yoshimine is not among the educators previously accused of sexual misconduct in Arizona. The public is encouraged to cooperate in any ongoing investigations.
How many more teachers are being investigated ? The information below was provided by AZ Free News. Provided to AZ Free news by The Arizona State Board of Education (ASBE).
Those educators listed as “certified in Arizona,” signify that the alleged or actual misconduct didn’t occur in the state, but that they held teaching certificates in the state.
Deniz Akca (Cartwright Elementary School District)
David Atzenweiler (certified in Arizona)
Felix Armenta (Gadsden Independent School District)
Joshua Bahen (certified in Arizona)
Steve Belles (Chandler Unified School District)
Lucas Bogard (Blue Adobe Project)
James Conkle (certified in Arizona)
Gregory Boujikian (Phoenix Union High School District)
Scott Brockish (Arizona State University Preparatory Academy)
Nicholas Brozina (certified in Arizona)
Holly Craft (Agua Fria Union High School District)
Timothy Dargon (Mingus Union High School District)
Troy Davis (Tolleson Union High School District)
Melissa Didiana (certified in Arizona)
Stephen Escudero (Prescott Unified School District)
Cody Fortune (certified in Arizona)
Irvin Garcia-Flores (Aqua Fria Union High School District)
Esmeralda Velasco-Guerrero
Walter Halaberda (Flagstaff Unified School District)
Douglas Hester (Phoenix Union High School District)
Robert Holland (Phoenix Union High School District)
Cheng-Hsuan Tsai (Tempe Montessori School)
Michael Irving (certified in Arizona)
Nathan Jellicoe (Dysart Unified School District)
Cory Kapahulehua (Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center High School)
Daniel Scott Larsen (Winslow Unified School District)
Mark Lindrud (certified in Arizona)
Kelly Martin (Legacy Traditional School)
Marissa Montero (Chandler Unified School District)
Elaine Mooneyham (Parker Unified School District)
Michael Naumann (Pendergast Elementary School District)
Samantha Peer (Lake Havasu Unified School District)
Marvin Pacheco Villa (Western School of Science and Technology)
Zachary Parker (Phoenix Union High School District)
Jacob Ramirez (Paradise Valley Unified School District)
Jaron Rheinlander (Marana Unified School District, ASU Preparatory Academy)
Dylan Riddle (Vail Unified School District)
Todd Roatsey (certified in Arizona)
Eric Sapul (Altar Valley School District)
Andrea Schembre
Brandon Shinault (Adams Traditional Academy)
Joshua Silverthorn (certified in Arizona)
Scott Sims (Deer Valley Unified School District)
Jessica Smith (Accelerated Learning Center, Phoenix Charter High School)
William Thorpe (Vail Unified School District)
Angel Torres (certified in Arizona)
Clarence Walker III (certified in Arizona)
Christopher Walton (certified in Arizona)
Shawn Watson (certified in Arizona)
Colin White (Payson Unified School District)
Jorge Valencia (Flagstaff Unified School District)
Zobella Vinik (Tucson Unified School District)
Dante Yarborough (Mesa Unified School District)
Jose Garcia Zepeda (Phoenix Union High School District)
Russell Zysett (certified in Arizona)
This is a long list it seems and for more information on some of these teachers you can go to AZ Free News and look at all the teachers and the reports on them like this one.
Shane Martin (Yuma Elementary District), teaching certificates voluntarily surrendered Nov. 10, 2022, case last considered in February: “On June 02, 2022, the Yuma Elementary District notified the Investigative Unit of allegations that Shane Martin engaged in inappropriate electronic communications with two previous 8th grade students via text messages. An example of the inappropriate comments included sleeping together, the use of drugs, and not using protection. The report further indicated the parents contacted our local police department. The result communicated was that there was no criminal activity that could be processed from the transcript shown. The district did their own investigation and concluded that Shane Martin had violated their policy and district expectations of communication between student and teacher.”
Or this one.
Lynn Matthews (certified in Arizona, taught in the state for 10 years before teaching in Utah), teaching certificates suspended through May 5, 2025: “[T]he Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (“UPPAC”) […] found that Educator Matthews began communicating with 15-year old student BM sometime before March 11, 2020, and thereafter engaged in extensive communication via email over the next four weeks. The email conversations ranged from trivial subjects such as hair styles, plays and movies, and day-to-day activities to highly personal and intimate subjects such as rape, abuse, medical issues, and mental health. In some communications, [Educator Matthews] used profanity. [Educator Matthews] used terms of endearment toward BM and expressed love for her. She treated BM as a confidant despite her young age sharing her own rape and subsequent pregnancy experience with BM. On April 10, 2020, Educator Matthews and BM exchanged four emails. Educator Matthews stated in one. ‘I am totally not gay either but if JLO, Halle Berry, or Jennifer Aniston ever want to make out with me, they are going to get the best make out session of their lives!’ Educator Matthews also made the comment, ‘I find it quite funny that you pay for your own phone and then your mom controls it…that makes you a SUCKER!’”
I believe it is imperative for the Arizona School Board to conduct comprehensive background checks on potential teachers. There have been instances where teachers have relocated to different states in order to evade any conflicts with parents or law enforcement. This behavior is akin to attempting to hide one's true identity, with the issue being conveniently overlooked. It is disconcerting that these individuals can simply move to a different state and deceive the school board by making assurances of good behavior. Should our school board be willing to take such risks when it comes to hiring such individuals? By doing so, they would be jeopardizing the well-being of our children and putting blind trust in the word of a teacher.
In my opinion, this list appears to be rather extensive and it becomes imperative for us to enhance our educators' background verification procedures and hiring practices.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the veterans for their outstanding service and tremendous sacrifices, which have played a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.
God Bless & Good health.
G