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.

Jacqueline Ma, who taught elementary school in National City, is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison

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.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Ma pleaded guilty to four counts, including sexual intercourse with a minor and possessing matter depicting a minor in sexual conduct.

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

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.

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,