Who is Ocean Valentine? Teaching Assistant Fired Over Student Abuse Scandal

Shocking news surfaced from New York City after Ocean Valentine, a 22-year-old teaching assistant, was suspended without pay. She was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student at the Urban Assembly Early College High School of Emergency Medicine in Manhattan.

Early Background of Ocean Valentine

Ocean Valentine was a young teaching assistant who had joined the New York school system with hopes of building a career in education. Photos from her graduation in a blue cap and gown show her as a promising student before the scandal broke out.

She worked at Urban Assembly Early College High School of Emergency Medicine, a school located near the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan.

Allegations Against Ocean Valentine

According to reports, Valentine approached the student in May 2022 by first connecting with him on Instagram. The two began chatting online, exchanged phone numbers, and their conversations quickly turned explicit.

The official investigation revealed shocking details:

• Valentine allegedly had sex with the student at least three times.

• She took him out of school during lunch hours to his parents’ apartment across the street.

• On one occasion, Valentine and the student were linked by a hotel receipt discovered by another student.

The boy later admitted that they skipped school together for these encounters.

Investigation and Suspension

Authorities began investigating after a female student reported seeing inappropriate messages on the boy’s phone. Despite the probe, Valentine allegedly continued trying to contact the teen, sending him texts like “What’s going on?”

In 2023, the Department of Education (DOE) suspended Valentine without pay. The case is still under review, and a second similar allegation involving another school employee is also being investigated.

DOE’s Response

The New York City Department of Education released a strong statement: “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Staff should never communicate with enrolled students through personal phones or social media. We take these standards seriously and expect employees to uphold the highest level of professionalism.”

Current Status

As of 2025, Ocean Valentine has not returned to her teaching role. She remains suspended while legal and administrative actions continue.

The case has sparked outrage among parents and teachers across New York, raising questions about student safety, teacher-student boundaries, and the role of social media in school misconduct.