Teacher of the Year is accused of sexual relationship with 16-year-old student in Southern California: the third case of its kind from the same school in less than 10 years
- Tracy Vanderhulst, 38, teacher at Yucaipa High School in California has been arrested on charges of sexual activity with a student
- Vanderhulst was taken into custody and placed on $30,000 bail at the San Bernardino County Detention Center
- Vanderhulst, who was married with two children, was honored as ‘Teacher of the Year’ at the school in 2017
A California teacher has been arrested after being accused of having sex with a student.
Tracy Vanderhulst, 38, who taught at Yucaipa High School, was taken into custody Thursday and held at the San Bernardino County Detention Center.
Vanderhulst is accused of sexual activity with a 16-year-old male student.
She is accused of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Her bail is set at $30,000.
Vanderhulst, who was named ‘Teacher of the Year’ at the school in 2017, married in 2007 and has two children with her husband Justin.
Tracy Vanderhulst, 38, teacher at Yucaipa High School in California has been arrested on charges of sexual activity with a student
A YouTube video from a school featuring Vanderhulst titled “In The Classroom” is still online, where she can be seen teaching a math honors course to mostly freshmen
Vanderhulst was a teacher at a Yucaipa High School, taken into custody and placed on $30,000 bail at the San Bernardino County Detention Center
There is still a school YouTube video featuring Vanderhulst titled “In The Classroom” online, where she can be seen teaching an honors math course to mostly freshmen.
In a now-deleted tweet, the school said it “offers a rigorous math curriculum and deep care for its students.”
Upon receiving her award in 2017, Vanderhulst received her honorable mention with high praise.
“She embodies the educator we so desperately want to be—she’s the kind and innovative teacher we hope our children will grow up with; the educator who strives to engage all of her students from her intervention classes to her honors classes,” the school’s principal wrote.
Authorities say the Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District cooperated during the investigation.
Vanderhulst was married with two children and was honored as ‘Teacher of the Year’ in 2017
Detectives are investigating the possibility that there may be more victims in the case as well and have released her photo in the hope that more will come forward. Yucaipa High School is pictured
The Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District issued an official statement on Friday.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our absolute priority and we take these allegations very seriously.
“Immediate action will be taken against the offending parties, as well as any other persons who are aware of the allegations and who may have failed to act. We want to assure you that should the District receive any allegations of this against any of its employees or affiliates in the future, such allegations will be promptly reported to law enforcement as all District personnel are required reporters.”
Detectives are investigating the possibility that there may be more victims in the case as well and have released her photo in the hope that more will come forward.
This is the third time in less than a decade that a female teacher at Yucaipa High School has had a sexual relationship with a student.
In one case, in 2015, a teacher had a sexual affair with a student who was dating her daughter.
Yucaipa, 10 miles east of San Bernardino, in San Bernardino County, California, is a very conservative city.
Anyone with tips was asked to contact Detective Rachel Young of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904.
Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).