NJ Science Teacher Charged with Sexually Assaulting Student

Authorities say Jason Howe had sex with a female student at his apartment last month.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled piece of paper with handwritten notes, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty investigation into a teacher's alleged sexual assault of a student.A recent wave of teacher misconduct cases exposes the need for stronger safeguards to protect students from abuse of power.Runnemede Today

A 26-year-old science teacher at Sterling High School in Runnemede, New Jersey has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a female student. Prosecutors say Jason Howe, a Runnemede resident, had sex with the student at his apartment last month. An investigation was launched after the student reported the incident to Runnemede police.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious breach of trust when a teacher engages in sexual misconduct with a student, which can have lasting psychological impacts on the victim. It also raises concerns about the vetting and oversight of teachers, especially those who work closely with minors.

The details

According to authorities, Howe taught chemistry at Sterling High School and also coached boys/girls cross country, freshman boys basketball, and girls spring track. He has been suspended from the school and banned from the property. Howe began teaching in 2021 after graduating from The College of New Jersey.

  • The alleged sexual assault occurred last month.
  • The student reported the incident to Runnemede police last week, prompting an investigation.

The players

Jason Howe

A 26-year-old science teacher at Sterling High School in Runnemede, New Jersey who has been charged with sexually assaulting a female student.

Grace MacAulay

The Camden County Prosecutor who announced the charges against Howe.

William Sampolski

The Runnemede Police Chief who assisted in the investigation.

The College of New Jersey

The university from which Howe graduated before beginning his teaching career in 2021.

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What they’re saying

“I really love working with the students. My teaching style really revolves around getting the students out of their seats and getting them involved, so they'll never be sitting in my class listening for too long.”

— Jason Howe, Science Teacher

What’s next

Howe is scheduled to appear in court next week, where a judge will determine if he should be released on bail pending trial.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of thorough background checks, ongoing monitoring, and strict policies to prevent teachers from exploiting their positions of authority and trust. School districts must prioritize student safety above all else.