Erica DePalo (Credit: CBS 2)
Back to School: Former Essex County Teacher Of The Year Accused In School Sex Scandal
August 31, 2012 7:40 PM
WEST ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A former teacher of the year is accused in a school sex scandal, and she’s just been arrested.
Erica DePalo made a video after winning Essex County Teacher of the Year in 2011.
“I don’t have any children,” DePalo said in the video. ”And I always say that I don’t have any children to go home and take care of, but every morning and every day that I go to school I have 110 children that are very near and dear to my heart.”
Those students are now buzzing at West Orange High School, where DePalo teaches 9th and 10th grade Honors English.
Students like Arnold Ajondo couldn’t believe the news that DePalo was arrested for having a sexual relationship with one of her students.
“I was kind of shocked,” Ajondo told CBS 2′s Cindy Hsu. ”I was a little surprised. She was really close with the students and we all liked her. She was always there after school if you ever needed any help.”