Thomas S. Wootton High School English teacher and yearbook advisor, Theresa Duarte, was arrested by Montgomery County police for allegedly distributing cocaine to two students from her home in Rockville on August 26.

Duarte, who resigned from Wootton in June for personal reasons, was charged with two counts of distributing narcotics and two counts of contributing to delinquent conditions of a child. Child Protective Services alerted police to their suspicions on August ninteenth.

Within Duarte’s home, a straw, a folded piece of paper, and a white, powdered substance were found by police executing a search warrant. Duarte also admitted that she kept her cocaine in her bathroom and had distributed some to two students. The identities of the two students are currently being withheld by the police, who are continuing the investigation to determine if there was additional involvement by other students.

Duarte posted $150,000 in bail, and was allowed to leave the Montgomery County Detention Center. Prior to her years at Wootton, Duarte was a substitute teacher at Einstein High School for the 2003-2004 school year. Though she only taught at Wootton for about four years, Duarte was an especially popular teacher amongst Wootton students. Her involvement with cocaine and her follow-up arrest came as a surprise to students and staff alike.

“Any time a staff member is arrested is a serious issue…obviously, distribution of drugs to a student is a serious charge…” Principal Michael Durso said.

Sentiments similar to this were echoed amongst the student body as well.

“I’m shocked and appalled that a teacher would do something like that. I think that sort of thing is despicable,” junior Naveed Nadjmabadi said.

Nadjmbadi is the not the student who feels surprised at the actions of this high school teacher.

“That was a very bad move. What on earth was she thinking? People like that should not be allowed to teach in the school system,” sophomore Andrew Bakry said.

Junior Andrew Resnick believes that Duarte deserves to face some consequences.

“[Duarte] should probably do some community service time and the kids that didn’t even think about the consequences should be punished someway too,” Resnick said.

English teacher Wendy Borrelli attended graduate school with Duarte and was shocked by the news. Former Springbrook English teacher and publications advisor Evva Starr has replaced Duarte as Wootton’s yearbook advisor.

When asked if this occurrence would impact school security procedures, Durso said, “Not really. We try to remain vigilant in relation to the school day. If something comes to our attention we’ll follow up on it.”

When queried about the possibility of such a situation happening at Springbrook, a number of students denied the possibility.

“Not at all. The teachers here are very responsible,” said Bakry.

Resnick goes on to say, “I don’t think it could happen at Springbrook because the staff is well-equipped and we have a great police officer and there are 300 staff members to look over every problem. And I’m sure every teacher is well-qualified.”

Durso advises students “to use good judgment in all interactions, whether it be with students or adults.”

Montgomery County Police ask anyone who possesses any additional information to contact them.