YES Prep teacher fired, allegedly had improper relationship with student

HOUSTON – KPRC 2 has learned that a second YES Prep teacher has been fired in a week for allegedly having an improper relationship with a female student.

This latest case is at the YES Prep North Forest campus.

It entailed more than just ill-suited text messages, according to school administrators.

Administrators said the male social studies teacher, who is in his early 20's, and the female student, who is 18, were having a sexual relationship.

"He still shouldn't have been messing with her. She's a student at the school. If that were my child I wouldn't want that to be happening either," parent Shanta Ervin said.

A friend of the student suspected the two were involved with each other and reported it to administrators. They investigated and say they found the pair had exchanged inappropriate text messages and immediately contacted Houston police.

The teacher was placed on administrative leave and fired that same day. That's two teachers at two different YES Prep schools in one week.

"It's incredibly tough. We're here to educate students but we are first and foremost here to protect the students we've been given the privilege to educate, so it's a challenge for us as a system," said Mark Dibella, superintendent of YES Prep schools.

YES Prep is now reviewing its policies and procedures and is working with the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Education in an effort to stay proactive. 

Both teachers have not been charged but HPD's Special Victims division is investigating. 


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