Judgment Day for ‘Teacher of the Year’ Who Had Sex With Elementary Students

Jacqueline Ma, a former San Diego County “Teacher of the Year,” has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for sexually abusing two of her elementary school students.

The 36-year-old ex-educator pleaded guilty in February to multiple felony counts, including lewd acts on a child and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Ma taught fifth and sixth grade at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City. Her arrest in April 2023 followed a report from a concerned parent who discovered explicit messages between Ma and her 12-year-old son.

Investigators later uncovered a pattern of grooming and abuse involving another boy, aged 11, dating back to 2020.

According to the New York Post, the grooming occurred over a 10-month period.

During the sentencing hearing on May 9, Ma tearfully acknowledged her crimes, stating, “I ripped away their childhood. Instead of following the path of what a teacher should be, I let my selfishness override the boys’ best interests.” (Read more from “Judgment Day for ‘Teacher of the Year’ Who Had Sex With Elementary Students” HERE)