Five Houston-area Educators Charged in Teacher Certification Cheating Ring
In a shocking development, five Houston-area educators have been charged for their alleged involvement in a widespread teacher certification cheating scheme. The Harris County District Attorney's Office has uncovered a million-dollar operation that placed an estimated 200 unqualified teachers in classrooms over the past four years.
The scheme, which began in 2020, allegedly involved individuals paying around $2,500 to have someone else take their teacher certification exams on their behalf. Prosecutors believe as many as 400 people may have fraudulently obtained teaching licenses through this operation.
The five individuals charged are:
- Vincent Grayson, 57, head boys basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School (HISD)
- Nicholas Newton, 35, assistant principal at Booker T. Washington High School
- LaShonda Roberts, 39, special education chair at Yates High School (HISD)
- Tywana Gilford Mason, 51, former director at Houston Training and Education Center
- Darian Nikole Wilhite, 22, proctor at TACTIX
Grayson is accused of being the ringleader of the operation, which prosecutors say netted about $1 million. Newton allegedly acted as a proxy test-taker, while Roberts is accused of recruiting nearly 100 teachers to participate in the scheme.
The investigation began in mid-2023 when the Texas Education Agency received a tip about testing irregularities. Authorities noticed applicants who had previously failed certification exams were traveling from distant cities to take tests in Houston.
Houston ISD has stated that the three employees involved in the scheme are no longer with the district but will continue to be paid until the legal process concludes.
This case raises serious concerns about the integrity of the teacher certification process and the potential impact on students' education. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify all individuals who may have obtained teaching licenses fraudulently.