Several Phoenix area teachers surrendered or had their teaching certificates revoked by the Arizona State Board of Education this month:
Jesse L. Chavez
On April 20, 2015, the Chandler Unified School District notified the Investigative Unit that Jesse L. Chavez engaged in unprofessional conduct by engaging in inappropriate text messaging and meeting with a female student off campus.
On December 1, 2015, the Investigative Unit notified Mr. Chavez of the intent of the Board to file a complaint seeking disciplinary action against his teaching certificate. Mr. Chavez chose to voluntarily surrender his teaching certificate.
It was recommended that the Board accept the voluntary surrender of Jesse L. Chavez’s teaching certificate and that all states and territories be notified.
Richard Lance Knight
Richard Lance Knight holds a Provisional Career & Technical Education Industrial & Emerging Technical certificate and a Provisional Structured English Immersion certificate, both which expire September 9, 2016. He also holds a Provisional Career & Technical Education & Training certificate which expires February 26, 2017.
On or about March 23, 2015, in Maricopa County Superior Court of Phoenix, AZ, Richard L. Knight pled guilty to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
Sentencing occurred on May 6, 2015. These convictions constitute unprofessional conduct pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550 and warrant the immediate and permanent revocation of his Arizona teaching certificate.
It was recommended that pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education permanently revoke any and all teaching certificates held by Richard Lance Knight, and that all states and territories be so notified.
Andrew Lloyd Lemke
Andrew Lloyd Lemke holds a Substitute certificate valid from February 4, 2014 through February 4, 2020.
On or about December 16, 2015, in Maricopa County Superior Court of Phoenix, AZ, Andrew Lloyd Lemke pled guilty to two counts of Indecent Exposure to a Minor dangerous crimes against children. These convictions constitute unprofessional conduct pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550 and warrant the immediate and permanent revocation of his Arizona teaching certificate.
It was recommended that pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education permanently revoke any and all teaching certificates held by Andrew Lloyd Lemke, and that all states and territories be so notified.
Jared E. Blackstone
Jared E. Blackstone holds a Standard Secondary Education, 6-12 certificate, expiring on January 27, 2020, and a Substitute certificate, expiring on January 27, 2016.
On May 4, 2015, Mr. Blackstone was arrested by the Goodyear Police Department for Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation.
On November 13, 2015, Jared E. Blackstone was convicted of 2 counts of Child Abuse.
It was recommended that the Board, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, permanently revoke any and all of Jared E. Blackstone’s teaching certificates and that all states and territories be notified.