New York City teacher’s aide suspended amid investigation into inappropriate relationship with student

A female teacher’s aide at a New York City high school was suspended without pay after investigators said she had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student. Ocean Valentine, 22, is alleged to have engaged in multiple encounters with the student while he attended Urban Assembly Early College High School of Emergency Medicine in Manhattan, according to a report from the Special Commissioner of Investigation for NYC Schools District obtained by the New York Post.

Investigators say the relationship began in May 2022 after Valentine approached the student on Instagram, and the two exchanged messages that became explicit in late May and early June 2022. The two reportedly left the school during lunch hours to meet, with at least one encounter occurring at the student’s home and another later meeting at a private location. The SCI report notes a hotel receipt image and suggests the student sometimes skipped classes to meet Valentine. A female classmate who saw the messages on the student’s phone and a school official who overheard comments about staff members having sex with students prompted the investigation.

The investigation also references a separate alleged encounter at Shark’s, a nearby pool club, described as occurring during the student’s 18th birthday celebration. Police records indicate the investigation expanded into early 2023, and Valentine allegedly continued to try to contact the student. Investigators say police photos of messages show ongoing efforts, including a text exchange in which Valentine asked, “What’s going on?” A police search documented a total of 34 contacts.

Valentine was suspended without pay. Court filings show her 2023 salary was $34,415, with take-home pay of about $15,250 before dismissal. A second Urban Assembly Early College High School of Emergency Medicine staff member is also under investigation for a potentially inappropriate relationship with a student. Separately, a different case involving a female student and a male aide who allegedly took $5,000 from her is noted by the New York Post.

The Daily Mail’s coverage notes that more than 100 New York City educators have faced accusations of inappropriate relationships with students between 2018 and 2024. Comment requests to Valentine, NYC SCI officials, the NYPD and Urban Assembly Early College High School of Emergency Medicine were not answered prior to publication.