‘Teacher of the Year’ accused of molesting 12-year-old girl at summer camp

Authorities in Northern California arrested a high school teacher on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl at a summer camp earlier this year.

Chad Zitzner, 45, is accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl multiple times at a math camp over the summer, Fox News reports. He was booked into jail Tuesday on suspicion of “lewd and lascivious acts with a child.”

Sometime after the camp ended, the girl reportedly told her mother that Zitner, a teacher at Broadway High School in the San Jose Unified School District, had on multiple occasions touched her inappropriately.

The allegations prompted an investigation by the Santa Clara County’s Sexual Assault Investigation Unit, according to The Mercury News. When San Jose Unified was made aware of the investigation in late October, Zitner was placed on leave, according to Deputy Superintendent Stephen McMahon.

“We are really aggressive in protecting the safety of students. He was put on leave within minutes of us finding out about the (Sheriff’s Office) investigation.”

Zitner has worked with San Jose Unified since 2004. He was once named Substitute Teacher of the Year in the Mountain View Los Altos High School District and was a well-respected basketball coach at Mountain View High School. He has worked at Broadway High School since 2015.

McMahon said Zitner will not teach again in the district unless law enforcement clears him.

Anyone who may have information about the case can contact Sheriff’s detectives at 408-808-4500 or leave an anonymous tip at 408-808-4431.

[Feature photo: Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office]