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'Teacher of the Year' Accused of Having Sex with Teen Student

By James Eng, NBC News

Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Erica Depalo was named Essex County's "Teacher of the Year" in 2011.

September 5, 2012 Updated Sep 5, 2012 at 9:11 AM PDT

A New Jersey woman who was named as Essex County's “Teacher of the Year” in 2011 has been suspended from her job after being accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student.

West Orange High School teacher Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, was charged Friday with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced.

DePalo is accused of having an illegal sexual relationship with a male student she taught in her honors English class, according to acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

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