By Victor Skinner
EAGnews.org

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – A top teacher in San Diego County, California could be heading to the clink after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with at least one student.

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Chula Vista High School English teacher Terrance Lee Smith, 32, was arrested Monday on 14 charges of sexual contact with a minor after police learned Smith allegedly had a sexual relationship with a then 16-year-old female student at his school, The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

The girl’s mother contacted police about the relationship, and the teen confirmed she had several sexual encounters with the teacher – at school, in Smith’s car, and at his home – between 2006 and 2008. The victim never had Smith as a teacher. Police believe Smith may have had sexual relationships with other students, as well, according to the Union Tribune.

“Smith was among the top 10 finalists for the county’s Teacher of the Year award this month. Besides teaching English, he helps prepare students for collage as part of the AVID program,” the news site reports.

“Smith is a graduate of Chula Vista High, and his entire teaching career has been spent there. He was hired in 2005, and is well-known and popular among students,” said Manuel Rubio, spokesman for the Sweetwater Union High School District.

Rubio told the Union Tribune that school officials are shocked by the charges, and are cooperating with police in their ongoing investigation.

We commend the victim’s mother for stepping forward when she suspected something was wrong. Hopefully her actions will expose any inappropriate relationships Smith may have had with other students, and prevent him from abusing his position to target more victims.