A former California “Teacher of the Year” admitted to sexually abusing two elementary school students, sobbing as she pleaded guilty in court. Jacqueline Ma, 35, of San Diego, was arrested in 2023 and charged with engaging in sexual relationships with two of her students, who were 11 and 12 years old at the time, Fox 5 San Diego reports.

An award-winning California teacher broke down in tears in court as she confessed to sexually abusing two of her students, ages 11 and 12. Jacqueline Ma, who was named “Teacher of the Year” in San Diego County just months before her arrest,

San Diego ex-teacher Jacqueline Ma changed her plea to guilty Wednesday as the county’s former “Teacher of the Year” avoided a trial over her sexual abuse of two students who were 11 and 12 at the time.

Jacqueline Ma, the former National City teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her students, changed her plea to guilty during a court hearing Wednesday ahead of her scheduled trial.

Ma was arrested in March 2023 on allegations that she groomed two boys and entered into a sexual relationship with one of the boys beginning when he was 12 years old

Award-winning teacher Jacqueline Ma, 35, sobbed in court, admitting to sexual relationships with two 11 and 12-year-old students.

The teacher had sexual relationships with 11-year-old and 12-year-old students, one told her he sometimes thought she didn't understand he was still a kid.

A former countywide "Teacher of the Year" pleaded guilty Wednesday to engaging in sex acts with a 12-year-old student at the National City elementary school where she taught.

Jacqueline Ma had reportedly pleaded guilty to lewd acts on a child and possessing matter depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct.