Teacher Under Investigation For Internet Crimes Against Children

GLENVIEW, IL — Glenview police are investigating allegations of "internet crimes against children" by a North Shore teacher. Currently a teacher in the North Shore Special Education District, the man under investigation previously taught at Loyola Academy, according to officials at both schools.

The 32-year-old teacher in his second year as a teacher at North Shore Academy in Highland Park was placed on administrative leave and removed from the classroom after police notified the school last month, and district administrators intend to recommend at an Oct. 10 meeting that he be fired because of his refusal to cooperate with the investigation, according to a letter from his boss.

Prior to teaching at North Shore Special Education District, which includes students from 18 primary and secondary school districts between Wilmette and Lake Buff, the teacher was employed by Loyola Academy. Beginning in 2004, he was a moderator of scholastic bowl, and he taught as an English teacher from 2011 to 2014, according to a letter to Loyola Academy alumni from President Rev. Patrick McGrath and Principal Charles Heintz. It said Glenview police notified school administrators of the investigation Sept. 19.

In a letter Tuesday, Superintendent Kurt Schneider told NSSED families there is no indication that any students in the district are involved in the investigation. It said the man previously worked as a teacher's aide at North Shore Academy from 2014 to 2017 and was unlikely to have had contact with elementary or middle school children.

Patch is not naming the man because he has not been charged with a crime. In its letter to alumni, both school emphasized they conduct initial background checks and annual processing through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' child abuse tracking system. Loyola said it named the former teacher, confirmed it was cooperating with the investigation and notified the community "as a precaution." The letter said the safety, security and well-being of its students was its top priority.

Glenview police said no arrests have been made and the investigation, which was opened in January 2018, is ongoing. Police said a Glenview detective is on a Cook County task force for internet crimes, and the Glenview Police Department became the lead agency because the investigation is occurring in the Glenview area. Anyone with information that could be relevant to the investigation was asked to contact Detective Jamie Medina at 847-901-6145.

UPDATE (Oct. 24) — Former Teacher Raped Student, Uploaded It To Internet: Prosecutor