NJ 'Teacher of the Year' Erica DePalo Arrested on Counts of Sexual Assault on Student

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NJ 'Teacher of the Year' Erica DePalo Arrested on Counts of Sexual Assault on Student

New Jersey teacher Erica DePalo was awarded the Essex County, New Jersey Teacher of the Year award in 2011. Unfortunately, her respected standing as a 'good teacher' is now tainted. On Friday, DePalo was arrested after being accused of taking part in a sexual relationship with one of her students. A 15 year old student who was one of her Honors English students came forward with the claims.

Erica DePalo has been charged with:

• second-degree sexual assault
• first-degree aggravated assault
• endangering the welfare of a child

Police state it is believed that the relationship between the teacher and the student began on June 15 and came to an end just last week.

The West Orange School District released a statement about DePalo’s arrest, which said, “The district has taken strong action by suspending the employee immediately and indefinitely. The school district will cooperate with the prosecutor’s office in every way.”

“She was interesting and she was fun and she made me want to go to class,” said Evan Cumming, a former student. “She never seemed like (someone who would do) the allegations I’ve heard. It doesn’t seem like something she’d do.”

DePalo is employed at West Orange High School and has been there since 2003.

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