The teacher had sexual relationships with 11-year-old and 12-year-old students, one told her he sometimes thought she didn't understand he was still a kid.

A former countywide “Teacher of the Year” pleaded guilty Wednesday to sex acts involving a 12-year-old student at the National City elementary school where she taught. Jaqueline Ma, 35, is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison when she is due in Chula Vista Superior Court on May 9.

Jacqueline Ma, the former National City teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her students, changed her plea to guilty during a court hearing Wednesday ahead of her scheduled trial.