At its December 4th meeting, the Arizona State Board of Education took action on multiple recommendations regarding teacher discipline and certification.
Over 30 educators were disciplined for everything from being under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, to the sexual exploitation of students.
In one of the most bizarre cases, one educator, Jon Dowe Kizzia, was fired for inappropriate behavior in the Paradise Valley School District only to be hired by the Scottsdale Unified School District. Eventually Kizzia’s behavior became so alarming that the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at the Scottsdale Unified School District reported Kizzia’s unprofessional conduct:
On or around August 19, 2022, the School’s administration was notified by the parent of a sixth-grade special education student, Student A, that Educator Kizzia had been distributing paperwork to this student’s sixth-grade class that was inappropriate and contained sexual content.
Through the School’s investigation, over 600 pages of documentation from Educator Kizzia were discovered that included questionnaires asking inappropriate questions regarding sex, drug usage, and other fact-finding “grooming” questions. These questionnaires were not sanctioned by the District.
Some of the questions within the questionnaire included:
-
- “How do you practice safe sexual behavior?”
- “Do I know what I need to know about sex?”
- “Resisting pressure to have sex.”
- “Have you ever been asked to keep a secret?”
- “Did you keep it?”
- “Describe what it felt like to know a secret but not be able to tell anyone about it.”
- “I use food, drugs, or alcohol as a way to cope.”
- “Resisting pressure to drink or use drugs.”
- “I would never break a law, no matter how minor.”
- “Whether or not I get into a car accident depends mostly on how good a driver I am.”
- “Sometimes politics and government seem so complicated that a person like me can’t really understand what’s going on.”
The District found these questionnaires in Educator Kizzia’s classroom in a cardboard box, along with a bottle of narcotic pills in Educator Kizzia’s desk. The pills are believed to belong to Educator Kizzia’s wife. Educator Kizzia also had a list of student names, personal notes, student schedules, and teacher assignments within the cardboard box. The box was set aside to be taken home.
Furthermore, Educator Kizzia was arrested on August 19, 2022 for violating A.R.S. 13-3502(A)(4), a class 5 felony, involving presenting and participating in the live performance of any obscene item in public. [Ex. 5.]
On August 19, 2022, a father was driving his 13-year-old son and 14-year-old niece when he was cut off by Educator Kizzia’s vehicle. The father attempted to maneuver around Educator Kizzia’s vehicle, but traffic prevented him from successfully doing so. Educator Kizzia rolled down his windows, and then placed a red sexual novelty item in the shape of two penises into his mouth and repeatedly moved it in and out of his mouth, exhibiting a sexual act of simulated oral sex. The father took videos and photographs of Educator Kizzia and his license plate to later show police.
Educator Kizzia was performing this sexual exhibition with his windows down while driving surrounded by high school students leaving to go home.
The father alerted the Phoenix Police Department of the incident. Phoenix Police officers (“Officers”) went to Educator Kizzia’s residence and arrested him, transporting him back to the Phoenix Police Department Headquarters to be questioned.
During the interview, Educator Kizzia admitted that he was sucking a sexual object while in his car and assumed someone must have seen him. Educator Kizzia stated that he believed being in his car was private enough to perform the act, but also acknowledged the car’s windows were rolled down during the act.
Educator Kizzia told the Officers that the reason for his actions while driving his vehicle is that he likes the feeling in his mouth, but his wife does not like it when he does such activity at home.
Educator Kizzia continued to tell the Officers that he thought he had privacy in his vehicle, even though he acknowledged rolling his windows down. Educator Kizzia admitted that his car air conditioning worked properly, but he wanted to let the outside air come into his vehicle.
The following cases were included in the Board’s Consent Agenda:
Approval of the voluntary surrender of the educator certificates held by the following teachers:
Enrique Alvarez, Case no. C-2023-002017
Educator Alvarez holds the Arizona Educator Identification Number of 557-6678.
On August 22, 2023, the Nogales Unified School District notified the Investigative unit of allegations that Educator Alvarez engaged in inappropriate relationships with sexual content with male students at Nogales High School.
Nogales Police Department Report 23-000771.
On September 15, 2023, Educator Alvarez voluntarily surrendered his right to work in an Arizona District or Charter School.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the State Board of Education accept the voluntary surrender of the right to work in an Arizona District or Charter School held by Enrique Alvarez and that all states and territories be so notified.
Darangelo Balark, Case no. C-2022-001212
Educator Balark holds the Arizona Educator Identification Number of 486-6352.
On May 13, 2022, the Leona Group notified the Investigative unit of allegations that Darangelo Balark engaged in sexual harassment of a female student, inappropriate touching and inappropriate text messages.
Phoenix Police Report #2022-00711716.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Darangelo Balark has been using his brothers identity to obtain employment in education in the State of Arizona. Darangelo Balark submitted a written statement with his voluntary surrender admitting to this behavior.
On January 13, 2023, Darangelo Balark voluntarily surrendered his right to work in an Arizona District or Charter School.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the State Board of Education accept the voluntary surrender of the right to work in an Arizona District or Charter School held by Darangelo Balark and that all states and territories be so notified.
Phoenix High School Employee Accused Of Offering 14-Year-Old Money For Explicit Photos
Brent Becenti, Case no. C-2023-001533
Educator Becenti holds a Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching, 6-12 Physical Education Jan 15, 2021 – Jan 15, 2023. (Suspended non-disciplinary per cert unit).
On July 10, 2023, the Florence Unified School District notified the SBE Investigative Unit that Educator Becenti engaged in inappropriate conduct with female students on numerous occasions. (Sent a student his tax return, gave students money via a cash app, bought a student a PlayStation, being friends with students on social media and he told a student he wanted her sexually).
This information was reported to Pinal County Sheriff’s Office DR#230705078.
On October 4, 2023, Educator Brent Becenti voluntarily surrendered his Arizona teaching certificates.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the State Board of Education accept the voluntary surrender of any and all certificates held by Educator Becenti and that all states and territories be so notified.
Jana Thorne, Case no. C-2023-000419
Educator Thorne holds the Arizona Educator Identification Number of 677-4152.
On February 20, 2023, the Scottsdale Unified School District notified the Investigative Unit of the unprofessional conduct that it appeared that Educator Thorne was under the influence of alcohol at school.
The security officer took Educator Thorne to the office where he retrieved several small bottles of alcohol from the bag of Educator Thorne. The school called for the mobile drug-testing unit and Educator Thorne signed an agreement to submit to the testing. Educator Thorne then signed a form stating that she understood that she was being placed on administrative leave in accordance with school policy. That leave was to remain in place until the district had an opportunity to investigate the allegations against Educator Thorne. On December 09, 2022, the test taken by Educator Thorne came back positive for marijuana and positive for Alcohol with a BAC of .295.
This information was not reported to law enforcement.
On September 26, 2023, Educator Thorne voluntarily surrendered her right to work in an Arizona District or Charter School.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the State Board of Education accept the voluntary surrender of the right to work in an Arizona District or Charter School held by Jana Thorne and that all states and territories be so notified.
Jenny Vallera, Case no. C-2023-001893
Educator Vallera holds a Standard Professional Elementary, K-8 Certificate with an expiration date of November 27, 2031.
On August 14, 2023, the Chandler Unified School District notified the Investigative Unit of allegations that Educator Vallera grabbed a male student by the back of the neck. It was reported that the preschool student was running around the room and would not stop. Educator Vallera admitted to grabbing the student by the back of the neck in an effort to not allow him to leave the classroom and run outside. The student sustained a red mark to the front of his neck.
Chandler Police Report #2023-89066.
On September 29, 2023, Educator Vallera voluntarily surrendered her Arizona teaching certificates.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the State Board of Education accept the voluntary surrender of any and all certificates held by Jenny Vallera and that all states and territories be so notified.
Approval of the permanent revocation of any and all educator certificates, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, held by the following educators:
Wulfido Caday, Case no. C-2023-000267
Wulfido Jr. Devilleres Caday holds an International Teaching Mild/Mod. Special Education, K-12 certificate with a start date of August 18, 2021 and an ending date of June 30, 2024.
On or about January 27, 2022, officers from the Phoenix Police Department arrested Wulfido Jr. Devilleres Caday for Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Contact with a Minor by officers from the Phoenix Police Department. Educator Caday was texting an undercover police officer who he believed to be a 15-year-old boy. Educator Caday wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with the minor child.
On June 12, 2023, the Maricopa County Superior Court found Educator Caday guilty of Attempt to Commit Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, a class 4 Felony; and was sentenced to supervised probation for life, 45 days in jail, register as a sex offender, pay over $300.00 in fines, and restricted computer usage.
The crimes for which he was convicted are offenses for which the State Board of Education must permanently and immediately revoke the certificates held by Wulfido Jr. Devilleres Caday pursuant to A.R.S. §15-550(A).
A.R.S. §15-550. Unprofessional conduct; penalty
A person who has been convicted of a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or has been convicted of a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or section 13-1405 or an act committed in another state or territory that if committed in this state would have been a dangerous crime against children or a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or a violation of section 13-1405 is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person’s certificate shall be revoked permanently immediately on notification of conviction by the clerk of the court or the magistrate.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education permanently revoke any and all certificates held by Educator Caday and that all states and territories be so notified.
Michael Hood, Case no. C-2023-000893
Michael Christopher Hood held a State of Arizona certificate(s) under Educator Identification No. 488-2129.
On April 25, 2023, Educator Hood was arrested by the St. Johns Police Department for Sexual Abuse. On June 6, 2023, Educator Hood pled guilty to Attempted Molestation of a Child, a class 3 Felony, and Sexual Abuse, a Class 3 Felony; and was sentenced to 10-years Department of Corrections; sentenced to 10 Years of Supervised Probation; and required to register as a Sex Offender upon his release.
The crimes for which he was convicted are offenses for which the State Board of Education must permanently and immediately revoke the certificates held by Michael Christopher Hood pursuant to A.R.S. §15-550(A).
A.R.S. §15-550. Unprofessional conduct; penalty
A person who has been convicted of a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or has been convicted of a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or section 13-1405 or an act committed in another state or territory that if committed in this state would have been a dangerous crime against children or a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or a violation of section 13-1405 is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person’s certificate shall be revoked permanently immediately on notification of conviction by the clerk of the court or the magistrate.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education permanently revoke any and all certificates held by Educator Hood and that all states and territories be so notified.
William Yaw IV , Case no. C-2023-001618
Educator William Rumer Yaw IV holds a State of Arizona certificate(s) under Educator Identification No. 474-2432. He does not hold any State of Arizona Certificates.
On or about July 10, 2023, Educator Rumer Yaw IV was found guilty of Count One in Pima County Superior Court Sexual Conduct with Minor, a class 2 Felony offense in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1405 (Attachment 1).
The conviction is for a non-dangerous crime against children under section 13-1405 for which the State Board of Education must permanently and immediately revoke the certificates held by Mr. Rumer Yaw IV pursuant to A.R.S. §15-550(A).
A.R.S. §15-550. Unprofessional conduct; penalty
- A teacher who has been convicted of a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or has been convicted of a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or section 13-1405 or an act committed in another state or territory which if committed in this state would have been a dangerous crime against children or a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or a violation of section 13-1405 is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the teacher’s certificate shall be revoked permanently immediately on notification of conviction by the clerk of the court or the magistrate.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education revoke any and all certificates held by Educator William Rumer Yaw IV and that all states and territories be so notified.
Approval of the revocation of any and all educator certificates, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-534.04(C), held by the following educators:
Emma Harrison, Case no. C-2022-000654
Emma L. Harrison holds a State of Arizona certificate(s) under Educator Identification No. 644-4190. She holds a Standard Professional Secondary Certificate, 6-12, with an ending date of July 24, 2033.
On March 17, 2022, a NASDTEC audit revealed that Emma Harrison has received numerous revocations, suspensions, and denials from the states of South Dakota, Delaware, South Carolina, California, Georgia, New Jersey, and Alabama, stemming from forging teaching applications and falsifying documents to obtain teaching credentials. Of note:
Based upon the findings from the South Dakota Department of Education (submitting falsified out-of-state educator certification), the California Department of Education recommended the revocation of Educator Harrison’s teaching credential and all other certification documents. (Attachment 1).
Based upon the findings from the South Dakota Department of Education (submitting falsified out-of-state educator certification), the Georgia Professional Standard Commission recommended the three (3) year revocation of Educator Harrison’s teaching credential and all other certification documents. (Attachment 2).
On or about March 3, 2023, the New Jersey Department of Education ordered that Emma Harrison’s teaching certificate be revoked, effective immediately. (See Attachment 3).
A.R.S. § 15-534.04(C): After receiving notification that a person’s educator certificate has been revoked in another jurisdiction, the state board of education may revoke all certificates issued in this state to that person in a manner that is consistent with the terms of revocation in the other jurisdiction, unless that person requests a hearing pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 6. After conducting a hearing requested pursuant to this subsection, the state board of education shall determine whether to uphold the revocation or to decline the revocation.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-534.04(C), the State Board of Education revoke any and all certificates held by Ms. Harrison and that all states and territories be so notified.
Approval of the revocation of any and all educator certificates, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1307(A), held by the following educators:
Christopher Robinson, Case no. C-2023-002232
Christopher M. Robinson holds a Standard Professional Elementary, K-8 certificate which expires on December 9, 2024. Educator Robinson also holds a Standard Professional Principal, PreK-12 certificate which expires on December 9, 2030.
On or around November 14, 2022, Educator Robinson was arrested for Felony Aggravated Assault, and Criminal Mischief, both involving Domestic Violence. [Exhibit 1]
A.A.C. R7-2-1307(A)(11) states that the Board shall revoke the certification of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting, soliciting, facilitating or conspiring to commit the criminal offense of aggravated assault in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1307(A)(11), the State Board of Education revoke any and all certificates held by Christopher M. Robinson, and that all states and territories be so notified.
Cesar Torres, Case no. C-2022-003553
Cesar A. Torres Gonzalez holds a Standard Professional Secondary, 6-12 certificate which expires on November 4, 2031.
On July 14, 2022, Educator Torres Gonzalez was arrested for Felony Aggravated Assault and Felony Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon/Instrument, both involving Domestic Violence. [Exhibit 1]
A.A.C. R7-2-1307(A)(11) states that the Board shall revoke the certification of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting, soliciting, facilitating or conspiring to commit the criminal offense of aggravated assault in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1307(A)(11), the State Board of Education revoke any and all certificates held by Cesar A. Torres Gonzalez, and that all states and territories be so notified.
Approval of the summary suspension of any and all educator certificates, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1309(A), held by the following educators:
Keith Armstrong, Case no. C-2023-001128
Keith Armstrong holds a Standard Professional Secondary 6-12 certificate with a start date of January 31, 2019 and an ending date of March 12, 2031. He held a Provisional Secondary Education 6-12 Certificate that lapsed on March 25, 2019, a Substitute, PreK-12 Certificate that lapsed on March 12, 2022 and a Standard Professional Secondary, 6-12 Certificate that lapsed on March 12, 2011.
On or about May 5, 2023, Educator Armstrong, while employed as a teacher at Legacy Traditional School in Surprise, Arizona, engaged in possessing and accessing child pornography off campus. Educator Armstrong admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography for arousal. The activity was subject to an investigation by the Buckeye Police Department and on May 25, 2023, Educator Armstrong was arrested for multiple counts of possessing and accessing child pornography. The Buckeye police report has been requested but has not yet been received. The case is currently pending in Maricopa County Superior Court.
A.A.C. Rule R7-2-1309
- If a certificate holder is arrested, cited and released, or received a criminal summons for an offense listed in R7-2-1307 and if the Board finds the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action, the Board may proceed under A.R.S. § 41-1064(C), ordering a summary suspension of a certificate while other proceedings are pending. The Board shall provide notice to the certificate holder of the meeting pursuant to R7-2-703 and R7-2-704.
- Summary suspensions issued by the Board shall remain in effect pending a public hearing and final decision by the Board pursuant to Article 7 of this title.
Educator Armstrong’s arrest for offenses listed in A.A.C. R7-2-1307 warrants summary suspension of his Arizona teaching certificate(s) pending a hearing before the Professional Practices Advisory Committee and this Board’s final disposition of the case following that hearing.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1309, the State Board of Education summarily suspend any and all certificates held by Keith Armstrong pending a public hearing and final decision of this Board thereafter.
Samuel Bauman, Case no. C-2023-000637
Samuel G. Bauman holds a State of Arizona certificate(s) under Educator Identification No. 520-8528. Educator Bauman holds a Standard Professional Secondary, 6-12 certificate with a start date of July 10, 2018 and an expiration date of October 6, 2030.
On March 24, 2023, Samuel G. Bauman was arrested for Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor through a United States Department of Homeland Security investigation. Educator Bauman was communicating online with an undercover special agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security who he believed to be a father of a five-year-old boy, to engage in sexual intercourse with a minor child.
A.A.C. Rule R7-2-1309
If a certificate holder is arrested, cited and released, or received a criminal summons for an offense listed in R7-2-1307 and if the Board finds the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action, the Board may proceed under A.R.S. § 41-1064(C), ordering a summary suspension of a certificate while other proceedings are pending. The Board shall provide notice to the certificate holder of the meeting pursuant to R7-2-703 and R7-2-704
Summary suspensions issued by the Board shall remain in effect pending a public hearing and final decision by the Board pursuant to Article 7 of this title.
Educator Bauman’s arrest for offenses listed in A.A.C. R7-2-1307 warrants summary suspension of his Arizona teaching certificate(s) pending a hearing before the Professional Practices Advisory Committee and this Board’s final disposition of the case following that hearing.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1309, the State Board of Education summarily suspend any and all certificates held by Samuel G. Bauman pending a public hearing and final decision of this Board thereafter.
Asia Dasher, Case no. C-2023-000877
Asia Dasher held a Teaching Intern Mild/Moderate Special Education Certificate that lapsed on August 23, 2019.
On or about August 4, 2020, Educator Dasher, poked or stabbed a male subject while armed with an arrow while trying to provoke others into a fight at Circle K. When the educator was approached by police, she hit an officer in the head and chest. The educator also struck an officer in the face, clawing his face and neck. The educator also injured several officers by scratching them with her fingernails. When taken into custody, the respondent continued inappropriate physical contact with the officers, biting on the officer’s left forearm. On August 4, 2020, Educator Dasher was arrested by the Flagstaff Police Department for six counts of Aggravated Assault against an Officer and Aggravated Assault-Deadly/Weapon/ Dangerous Instrument. As of July 19, 2023, no complaint has yet been filed.
A.A.C. Rule R7-2-1309
If a certificate holder is arrested, cited and released, or received a criminal summons for an offense listed in R7-2-1307 and if the Board finds the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action, the Board may proceed under A.R.S. § 41-1064(C), ordering a summary suspension of a certificate while other proceedings are pending. The Board shall provide notice to the certificate holder of the meeting pursuant to R7-2-703 and R7-2-704.
Summary suspensions issued by the Board shall remain in effect pending a public hearing and final decision by the Board pursuant to Article 7 of this title.
Educator Dasher’s arrest for offenses listed in A.A.C. R7-2-1307 warrants summary suspension of her Arizona teaching certificate(s) pending a hearing before the Professional Practices Advisory Committee and this Board’s final disposition of the case following that hearing.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1309, the State Board of Education summarily suspend any and all certificates held by Asia Dasher pending a public hearing and final decision of this Board thereafter.
Katherine Mieding, Case no. C-2023-000838
Katherine Mieding holds a Standard Professional PreK-12 Music Education Certificate with a start date of March 11, 2019 and an end date of November 16, 2031. Respondent also held a Provisional ESL Endorsement, PreK-12 Certificate that lapsed on March 25, 2019, a Provisional Pre-K-12 Music Education Certificate that lapsed on March 25, 2019, and a Substitute PreK-12 Certificate that lapsed on November 16, 2019.
On or about April 13, 2023, Educator Mieding, while employed as a music teacher at Holdeman Elementary School in Tempe, Arizona, dragged a seven-year old student approximately 22.8 feet across carpeting because the student did not listen to verbal directions. The student suffered injuries to his left elbow and hip/buttock area as a result of the physical contact. Respondent admitted to committing this act against the student and failing to protect the student from conditions harmful to safety. The activity was subject to an investigation by the Tempe Police Department. DPS was notified that Educator Mieding was arrested and/or fingerprinted for Felony Aggravated Assault (ARS 13-1204) listed in ARS 41-1758.07(B). (Attachment 1) The criminal matter is pending in the Maricopa Superior Court.
A.A.C. Rule R7-2-1309
If a certificate holder is arrested, cited and released, or received a criminal summons for an offense listed in R7-2-1307 and if the Board finds the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action, the Board may proceed under A.R.S. § 41-1064(C), ordering a summary suspension of a certificate while other proceedings are pending. The Board shall provide notice to the certificate holder of the meeting pursuant to R7-2-703 and R7-2-704.
Summary suspensions issued by the Board shall remain in effect pending a public hearing and final decision by the Board pursuant to Article 7 of this title.
Educator Mieding’s arrest for offenses listed in A.A.C. R7-2-1307 warrants summary suspension of her Arizona teaching certificate(s) pending a hearing before the Professional Practices Advisory Committee and this Board’s final disposition of the case following that hearing.
Recommendation: It is recommended that, pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1309, the State Board of Education summarily suspend any and all certificates held by Katherine Mieding pending a public hearing and final decision of this Board thereafter.
Presentation, discussion and possible action to approve the Negotiated Settlement Agreements for:
Jon Kizzia, Case no. C-2022-002712
Jon Dowe Kizzia (“Educator Kizzia”) holds State of Arizona certificate(s) under Educator Identification No. 343-5526.
Educator Kizzia holds a Standard Professional Cross-Categorical Special Education, K-12 certificate with a start date of February 16, 2018 and an expiration date of April 6, 2030. Educator Kizzia held a Provisional Cross Categorical Special Education, K-12 certificate with a start date of February 11, 2005 and an expiration date of August 4, 2006. Educator Kizzia also held a Reciprocal Provisional Cross Categorical certificate with a start date of January 9, 2004 and an end date of January 9, 2005. Finally, Educator Kizzia held an Emergency Teaching certificate with a start date of August 4, 2003 and an expiration date of July 1, 2004. [Ex. 1.]
At all times relevant hereto, Educator Kizzia was employed as an educator at Tonalea Middle School (“School”) at the Scottsdale Unified School District (“District”) located in Scottsdale, Arizona. [Ex. 2.]
On or around September 9, 2022, the Board’s Investigative Unit received a Statement of Allegations from Alexis Wilson, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at the Scottsdale Unified School District, reporting Educator Kizzia’s unprofessional conduct.
On or around August 19, 2022, the School’s administration was notified by the parent of a sixth-grade special education student, Student A, that Educator Kizzia had been distributing paperwork to this student’s sixth-grade class that was inappropriate and contained sexual content. [Ex. 3.]
Through the School’s investigation, over 600 pages of documentation from Educator Kizzia were discovered that included questionnaires asking inappropriate questions regarding sex, drug usage, and other fact-finding “grooming” questions. These questionnaires were not sanctioned by the District. [See Exs. 2; 3; 4.]
Some of the questions within the questionnaire included:
“How do you practice safe sexual behavior?”
“Do I know what I need to know about sex?”
“Resisting pressure to have sex.”
“Have you ever been asked to keep a secret?”
“Did you keep it?”
“Describe what it felt like to know a secret but not be able to tell anyone about it.”
“I use food, drugs, or alcohol as a way to cope.”
“Resisting pressure to drink or use drugs.”
“I would never break a law, no matter how minor.”
“Whether or not I get into a car accident depends mostly on how good a driver I am.”
“Sometimes politics and government seem so complicated that a person like me can’t really understand what’s going on.”
The District found these questionnaires in Educator Kizzia’s classroom in a cardboard box, along with a bottle of narcotic pills in Educator Kizzia’s desk. The pills are believed to belong to Educator Kizzia’s wife. Educator Kizzia also had a list of student names, personal notes, student schedules, and teacher assignments within the cardboard box. The box was set aside to be taken home. [Id.; see Ex. 6.]
This is not the first instance of Educator Kizzia’s misconduct. Educator Kizzia was employed at Vista Verde Middle School, in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, from August 5, 2021 until March 9, 2022, when the school cancelled his contract. [Ex. 7.]
On March 4, 2022, Educator Kizzia reported a sexual incident that occurred between two 13-year-old special education students at Vista Verde Middle School.
Prior to disclosing this incident, Educator Kizzia permitted the two special education students involved to work in an adjoining office unsupervised. Educator Kizzia entered the room a short while later to find the lights out, “inappropriate videos” playing on the computer, and the two students with their genitalia exposed. [Id.] Police investigated the incident as a possible case of sexual assault and sexual contact with a minor between the two students.
Furthermore, Educator Kizzia was arrested on August 19, 2022 for violating A.R.S. 13-3502(A)(4), a class 5 felony, involving presenting and participating in the live performance of any obscene item in public. [Ex. 5.]
On August 19, 2022, a father was driving his 13-year-old son and 14-year-old niece when he was cut off by Educator Kizzia’s vehicle. The father attempted to maneuver around Educator Kizzia’s vehicle, but traffic prevented him from successfully doing so. Educator Kizzia rolled down his windows, and then placed a red sexual novelty item in the shape of two penises into his mouth and repeatedly moved it in and out of his mouth, exhibiting a sexual act of simulated oral sex. The father took videos and photographs of Educator Kizzia and his license plate to later show police. [Id.]
Educator Kizzia was performing this sexual exhibition with his windows down while driving surrounded by high school students leaving to go home. [Id.]
The father alerted the Phoenix Police Department of the incident. Phoenix Police officers (“Officers”) went to Educator Kizzia’s residence and arrested him, transporting him back to the Phoenix Police Department Headquarters to be questioned. [Id.]
During the interview, Educator Kizzia admitted that he was sucking a sexual object while in his car and assumed someone must have seen him. Educator Kizzia stated that he believed being in his car was private enough to perform the act, but also acknowledged the car’s windows were rolled down during the act. [Id.]
Educator Kizzia told the Officers that the reason for his actions while driving his vehicle is that he likes the feeling in his mouth, but his wife does not like it when he does such activity at home. [Id.]
Educator Kizzia continued to tell the Officers that he thought he had privacy in his vehicle, even though he acknowledged rolling his windows down. Educator Kizzia admitted that his car air conditioning worked properly, but he wanted to let the outside air come into his vehicle. [Id.]
Educator Kizzia’s case was heard before the PPAC on September 12, 2023. Educator Kizzia did not appear at that hearing. The PPAC voted seven to zero to recommend revocation of Educator Kizzia’s teaching certificate(s).
Recommendation of PPAC: The PPAC, at its September 12, 2023 meeting, recommended, by a vote of seven to zero that the State Board of Education revoke the teaching certificate(s) of Jon Kizzia, for a period of five years, and that all states and territories be so notified.