HOUSTON -- A Spring High School teacher appeared in court on Monday, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The teacher's arrest comes just weeks after another teacher at the same school was charged with the same crime.

Matthew Tillman, 33, was charged with three felony counts of improper relationship with a student.

Tillman was arrested Friday night and made his first court appearance on Monday.

According to the school's principal, two of the charges are for sexual contact with a 17-year-old student and the third is for inappropriate electronic communication.

"On campus, a teacher went to Mr. Tillman's office. She knew that a student was in that office. She then talked to that student and was able to gather information because the student was honest with her. She then confronted Mr. Tillman," said Josh Jordan, an assistant district attorney.

A search warrant was issued for Tillman's house, and a computer and cell phone were seized, officials said.

Tillman, a history teacher and volleyball coach, has been at Spring High School for more than 10 years.

He is a father of two.

"He's been in jail since Friday night, so he's anxious to get out of jail. But he's OK. He has a 3-year-old and a 10-week-old baby, so he's anxious to get home to his family," said Robert Scardino, Tillman's attorney.

If convicted, Tillman faces up to 20 years behind bars for each charge.

Information about the case was read in court.

"(The alleged victim) said that on Sept. 7, 2009, on Labor Day after volleyball practice at Spring High School, she met with the defendant in the coach's office. They kissed each other. They got onto the couch," the court official said.

If Tillman posts bond, he must adhere to some conditions, including a 6 p.m. curfew, no contact with anyone under 18 years old, and he cannot coach, teach or tutor.

Tillman has been suspended from his job.

Spring ISD officials did not return calls for comment about the case.

Spring High School biology teacher Deanna Higgins, 27, has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a then 16-year-old student.

In letter to parents, Principal Donna Ullrich wrote: "It is distressing to say the least that another teacher has broken the trust that parents and the greater community should be able to expect from every educator."

The principal also wrote that the school is committed to "weeding" out teachers who would break that trust.

Hill said it's a trust that urgently needs to be repaired.

"There's no way it can't be broken," he said. "Just like any school teacher they're a second parent. That's what they are a second parent."

In the letter sent home to parents the principal assured parents that the district does criminal background checks on every teaching candidate.

She also wrote that the school will implement an anonymous online communication system for students.