Investigation into Mercer Island teacher’s resignation finds history of alleged abuse and inappropriate behavior

Investigation into Mercer Island teacher’s resignation finds history of alleged abuse and inappropriate behavior

Paige Browning

John O'Brien

August 14, 2025 / 6:40 pm

A well-regarded Mercer Island High School teacher, Gary “Chris” Twombly, resigned his position earlier this year amid allegations of inappropriate and abusive relationships with some of his students. Moe K. Clark is an investigative reporter at InvestigateWest . She wrote about what happened, in collaboration with Andy Nystrom at the Mercer Island Reporter. Clark told KUOW’s Paige Browning about the investigation.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Paige Browning: Allegations against Mr. Twombley first came to light nine years ago, in 2016. Tell us what happened then.

Moe K. Clark : In early 2016, Mercer