Former Island Coast teacher accused of relationship with student loses teaching license

A former Lee County teacher had her state teaching license pulled after allegations she had an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Denise Ayers is accused of touching the student and sending him inappropriate messages on social media.

Ayers didn’t contest any of the allegations outlined in the administrative complaint filed with the Education Practices Commission.

The complaint states Ayers, a math teacher at Island Coast High School, sent messages to a student during the 2017-2018 school year. One of the messages said: “Because of you I laugh a little harder, cry a little less and smile a lot more.”

She is also accused of kissing, cuddling and touching the student over his clothes.

In a statement, the Lee County school district said they were notified of the relationship on June 18, 2018 and immediately reported it to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Education.

Ayers resigned two days later.

“We placed the required notice in her personnel file that she ended her employment with an investigation into the health, safety and welfare of a student still pending,” the district said.

WINK News is waiting on a report from the sheriff’s office on the crime.