California ‘teacher of the year’ charged with sexual assault of student

Tracy Vanderhulst, 38, a mathematics teacher at Yucaipa High School, was arrested on Thursday around 11 pm and booked into Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on a $30,000 bail, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office.

"Investigators and the Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District worked cooperatively to ensure a thorough investigation into this matter was completed," San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Vanderhulst, who won "Teacher of the Year" in 2017, was seen as a "model teacher" that strived to have her students succeed and became a faculty member at the high school in 2013.

"She is the kind and innovative teacher from whom we hope our children will grow; the educator who strives to engage all of her students from her intervention classes to her honors classes," the school district said of Vanderhulst at the time, according to newsmirror.

Law enforcement has not yet disclosed further details on the investigation but believe there are more victims and are asking students to come forward.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office says anyone with information can call Detective Rachel Young at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).