HS teacher accused of having sex with member of cheer squad

Monday, October 20, 2014
Teacher accused of sex with student
The assistant cheer coach is accused of having a relationship with a cheer squad member

HOUSTON -- A Pasadena High School teacher is facing felony charges accused of having an improper relationship with a student.

Ashley Zehnder, 24, is a teacher and assistant coach to the cheer squad. Prosecutors say she had sex with a member of that cheer squad all summer long.

The investigation began after the teacher herself went to school administration to complain about a naked picture that was making its rounds among the student body. Once the assistant principal began asking questions, the 17-year-old student confessed he got the picture from the teacher herself and that they had been in a sexual relationship.

"It's terribly unfortunate whenever a teacher violates trust of a student like that," said Pasadena ISD spokesperson Renea Ivy. "I think it makes it much harder for the other teachers who truly care about their obligation as an educator."

The teacher has since resigned from the school She is out on a $10,000 bond.