Idris Bridgeforth, 42, was convicted Thursday of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and indecent solicitation. He faces seven to 22 years in prison.
Cook County prosecutors say Bridgeforth was the victim's basketball and softball coach at Ashburn Community Elementary School. CPS officials say he was a paraprofessional and the school's technology director. He was removed from the school after his 2012 arrest.
Prosecutors say he fondled the girl when giving her rides home from practices and sporting events.
"Everybody gets along with him," said parent Antroinette Savage in 2012. "He was a perfect gentleman... So I'm devastated."
Prosecutors say the alleged abuse went back to December of 2011 and continued until June. Bridgeforth has known his alleged victim since she was 7 years old.
"The victim viewed the defendant as a father figure and a mentor," said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Wendy Caceres.
Prosecutors say Bridgeforth violated that trust when he fondled the eighth grade student while driving her to and from sporting events. Prosecutors say the alleged abuse continued with text messages.
"The defendant stated that he wanted her more intimately, and he would protect themselves by wearing a condom," said Caceres.
Bridgeforth was caught after the victim's mother discovered the text messages on her daughter's phone. The mother immediately reported the texts to the school and a police investigation began.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.