NJ teacher accused of sex with student in classroom was 8th grader's ‘hero’ in winning essay

An eighth-grade New Jersey boy once wrote an essay praising a teacher — who’s now accused of having sex with a student — for having a “lasting impact on kids.” “Orchard Valley Middle School social studies teacher Ashley Fisler Sulla is living proof that effective educators can have an immediate, positive and lasting impact on kids,” the eight eighth-grader wrote in the essay, which won a contest in 2019, according to NJ.com . Fisler, 36, an Orchard Valley Middle School social studies teacher, was arrested this week for allegedly having sex with a student in her classroom and her car in 2021. Her purported victim — now an adult — alleged the pair had a sexual relationship while he was her pupil. “Typically, heroes tend to be superheroes, sports players, singers, actors, celebrities, or even a family member. Not everyone’s hero fits any of the categories listed above,” the then-8th eighth-grader’s essay continues. “Sometimes people’s heroes are an “‘overlooked”’ hero, simply because what they do isn’t “‘significant.”’ But, my hero, Ms. Sulla, works at school.” The 250-word essay on the subject of a “school employee who has had a positive impact” was one of four winners from 200 submissions. The middle schooler repeatedly lauded Fisler for being “relatable.” Fisler’s social media showsshow her beaming with her hubby in several photos, one of which shows the teacher reacting with shock as he pops the question in front of her class in 2018. Another picture shows the couple beaming as Fisler displays her new rock with two other women in front of lockers on the same day. “Ashley is a great teacher,” District Social Studies Supervisordistrict social studies supervisor Jeff Snyder said in theNJthe NJ.com report. “Not only does she make her lessons interactive and engaging, but she also prides herself in making personal connections with all her students.”