The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has placed a one-year suspension on the teaching license of a former educator from the Moses Lake School District. The penalty was imposed due to multiple instances of the teacher consuming alcohol and exhibiting signs of intoxication while on campus.

A Final Order of Suspension was issued on November 14, 2025, to the former second-grade teacher at North Elementary School. The directive, approved by a designee of Superintendent Chris Reykdal, identifies "unprofessional conduct" and a "behavioral problem which endangers the educational welfare or personal safety of students" as the basis for the disciplinary measure.

Pattern of Conduct

State findings indicate that the disciplinary action addresses a series of occurrences across two academic years. The initial report of the educator appearing under the influence of alcohol at school occurred on March 27, 2023. In response, the Moses Lake School District issued a formal letter of direction mandating participation in a substance abuse treatment program and submission to random breath tests.

The order notes that despite these requirements, the teacher again displayed "indicia of intoxication" on February 29, 2024. Following a period of administrative leave and in-patient treatment, the educator entered into a "Last Chance Agreement" with the district in April 2024.

The most recent incident took place on September 24, 2024, when the teacher appeared intoxicated at the school. Breath tests conducted at that time recorded blood-alcohol levels of .056 and .055.

Admissions and Resignation

The educator resigned from the Moses Lake School District on September 27, 2024, three days after the final incident.

In a February 2025 interview with the Office of Professional Practices, the teacher acknowledged drinking alcoholic beverages in her classroom on three distinct occasions: March 2023, March 2024, and September 2024.

The state’s order also referenced a previous disciplinary record, noting a 2017 reprimand issued for the theft of approximately $110 from a prior employer.

Under the suspension terms, the former teacher is prohibited from applying for reinstatement of her certificate for one year. To regain certification, she must satisfy several conditions, including:

  • Providing proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.
  • Undergoing a new alcohol and substance abuse evaluation.
  • Demonstrating at least six months of sobriety prior to filing her application.
  • Passing a fingerprint-based criminal background check.