A Homestead charter school teacher who was recently named "Teacher of the Month" was arrested for allegedly inappropriately texting a 16-year-old student, police said.
Josh Goodwin, 35, turned himself in and resigned from his position Wednesday as a criminal justice teacher at Somerset Academy South Homestead, according to Homestead Police.
“Here you have somebody that’s teaching a class, and it has to do with some type of criminal justice, you know, it’s kind of like a slap in the face to the criminal justice world," Homestead Police Capt. Fernando Morales said.
The Hurricane season is on. Our meteorologists are ready. Sign up for the NBC 6 Weather newsletter to get the latest forecast in your inbox.
School staff contacted police Wednesday after they were made aware that the teacher was inappropriately conversing with the student over text, police said.
"I want to be in your skin LOL," Goodwin allegedly texted the student.
"I want to kiss you all over. Where u liked (sic) being kissed or touched," other messages read.
Local
The victim told another teacher that the suspect had been sending her text messages and Instagram messages for a while, police said.
The victim told police she tried to limit her communication with Goodwin but she was scared of him because he had access to her personal information and knew details of her personal life. However, Goodwin was allegedly persistent in trying to get her attention, appearing at school rallies and sports functions and messaging her that he was "jealous" whenever he saw her interacting with someone.
Police said it appears there was no physical or sexual relationship between the teacher and student.
Goodwin faces charges of offenses against students by an authority figure, child abuse with no great bodily harm, and stalking, according to online records.
"You’re talking about a person who is a teacher," Morales said. "We trust that our students are in good hands while they’re in school."
Goodwin was recently named "Teacher of the Month" back in December, according to a post on the school's Instagram page.
Parents at the school were shocked to hear of the allegations.
“I’m surprised but I don’t think he’s that type of person because my son likes him a lot and I think he’s a very good teacher," parent Jeannie Chang said.
“It’s very alarming, to know you put your trust in the staff and faculty at school to protect your children and to hear those kind of allegations," parent John Boleware said. "It’s concerning. Hopefully, they do a thorough investigation, give him due diligence in the process and make corrections so hopefully this doesn’t happen."
Homestead Police is encouraging anyone else who may have had an inappropriate conversation with Goodwin to contact them.
