WA Teacher Sexual Misconduct Cases Shielded from Public

An InvestigateWest analysis reveals gaps in state's educator misconduct database allowing teachers to escape scrutiny

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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An InvestigateWest investigation found that in Washington state, nearly 45% of teachers who faced disciplinary action voluntarily surrendered their licenses, shielding their misconduct files from public view. The state's educator misconduct database has several gaps that allow teachers accused of sexual misconduct to avoid accountability and potentially find jobs elsewhere.

Why it matters

The lack of transparency in Washington's teacher misconduct database raises concerns about public safety and the protection of students, as teachers accused of sexual abuse can often quietly resign and move to other school districts without facing proper consequences.

The details

The investigation found that of the 349 teachers added to the state's database for disciplinary action, 160 cases (46%) involved sexual misconduct. However, many cases were not properly categorized, and teachers who voluntarily surrendered their licenses had their misconduct files shielded from public view. The report also highlighted how teachers accused of misconduct can sometimes quietly resign and move to other districts, a practice known as "passing the trash."

  • In November 2024, a woman reported that she was groomed for a sexual relationship by longtime English teacher Shadbreon Gatson while she was a student.
  • In January 2025, prosecutors dropped charges against Gatson because the statute of limitations had passed.
  • In October 2025, the Mercer Island School District reported misconduct by teacher Eric Ayrault to the state oversight agency.

The players

Shadbreon Gatson

A longtime English teacher at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver, Washington, who was accused of grooming and engaging in a sexual relationship with a former student.

Eric Ayrault

An English teacher at Mercer Island High School who was investigated for misconduct related to "maintaining professional staff/student boundaries" but was allowed to quietly resign without facing formal discipline.

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

The state agency that oversees the educator misconduct database and allows teachers to voluntarily surrender their licenses, shielding their misconduct files from public view.

Terri Miller

The board president of the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct & Exploitation, who advocates for legislation to prevent and address sexual misconduct in schools.

Ashton Dennis

A personal injury lawyer with the Washington Law Center who specializes in sexual abuse cases and criticizes the state's failure to properly track and report teacher sexual misconduct.

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What they’re saying

“This database and the way they're tracking it is insufficient to protect victims and protect kids. That is a glaring failure on behalf of the state to not record (these) things as sexual misconduct.”

— Ashton Dennis, Personal injury lawyer (InvestigateWest)

“That is deliberate enabling of child predation in our schools.”

— Terri Miller, Board president, National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct & Exploitation (InvestigateWest)

What’s next

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has faced criticism for the gaps in its educator misconduct database and may need to consider legislative changes to improve transparency and accountability.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight and reporting requirements to prevent teachers accused of sexual misconduct from quietly resigning and moving to other school districts, putting more students at risk.