09/19/2014 AT 07:15 PM EDT
But the 34-year-old language arts teacher from Caldwell, New Jersey, stands accused of sexually assaulting three of her students, reports CBS New York.
“[If the allegations are true], not only did she destroy her life and her children, but the boys who are involved as well,” said Dufault’s neighbor Maureen Messina.
The teacher was arrested on Wednesday and charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
She stands accused of having oral sex and intercourse with three 15-year-old male students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, where she has taught for nine years.
Dufault’s own two young children have been removed from her home in the wake of the allegations.
In a letter to the school’s parents, administrators insisted they are taking every precaution to help any children who may have been affected.
“The CHS administrative team, guidance counselors, student assistance counselors, school social workers, and teachers are actively supporting students and staff impacted by events,” the letter reads.
It continues: “If your child is showing signs of stress in reaction to the events or the investigation, please reach out to his or her guidance counselor or a member of the administrative team.”
Dufault is not the only instructor to have been arrested for having sex with a student in recent days.
A band teacher in Pennsylvania was arrested on Tuesday on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault for sleeping with her 14-year-old student in 2012.
