Colorado teacher arrested after allegedly stalking middle school student who ended yearlong affair

A Colorado gym teacher allegedly preyed on a student’s mental health challenges to begin a sexual relationship, then stalked the student after they broke up, according to media reports.

Teresa Whalin, 28, an integrated wellness teacher at Ranch View Middle School in Highlands Ranch, south of Denver, reportedly began spending time with the victim – who is reportedly about 12 years her junior – to help with mental health and self-harm. She did not report the self-harm to authorities. 

The relationship turned sexual in April 2023 and went on for one year, with encounters in locations including the school locker room bathroom and her home. The pair also spent time in her school office, and she reportedly drove the student to and from school without parental consent or knowledge. 

She is also accused of sending the student nude images and asking that the relationship be kept secret so she wouldn’t get in trouble. 

But after the student broke up with her to be with a classmate, Whalin reportedly became jealous, repeatedly driving by the victim’s home and walking path to school. 

In September she reportedly sent the student a text from a fictitious number that was designed to spur fear so the student would seek her out for comfort. Instead, the student went to a school counselor, which led to authorities getting involved. 

Whalin reportedly confessed to investigators about the relationship and to sending nude images and the fear-inducing text message. 

She faces charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a child, and stalking, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said. She is being held on a $50,000 bond and will appear in court Monday. 

The county school system, where she has worked since July 2021, has placed her on administrative leave and is cooperating with the investigation. 

The sheriff’s office is asking for information about the case or any other victims to come forward.