Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank

The 33-year-old David Starr Jordan Middle School teacher who reportedly confessed to Burbank police that she had a seven-month long sexual affair with one of her 14-year-old male students last year, entered a plea in Burbank Superior Court today.

 Amy Beck pleaded “no contest” to two counts of having sexual contact with a minor. Originally Beck faced at least four charges, but she reportedly got a plea deal. That’s no surprise. Beck’s case has had some strange twists from the get-go, which have suggested some sort of deal was in the works. On March 8, Beck turned herself in to Burbank Police. Her attorney, Michael Williamson, says she did it because, “…she was filled with guilt.” Then the ex-English and social science teacher refused to post bail, opting to stay behind bars so she could reportedly help detectives with the investigation.

KNX-1070 newsradio reported today that Beck could have faced a sentence of up to 18 years behind bars. Under the plea deal, she could get two years in state prison. One thing the deal could not change, when Beck gets out of prison she’ll have to register as a sex offender. Beck is the mother of three children and is married to a Los Angeles Police Officer.

Beck is due to be sentenced on May 7.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — David Starr Jordan Middle School at 420 South Mariposa Street in Burbank

A well-respected and former Jordan Middle School teacher remains behind bars today, while Burbank Police investigate allegations she had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student last year. 33-year-old Amy Beck, wearing handcuffs, appeared in Burbank Superior Court yesterday. Beck was due to be arraigned on charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 16, but the arraignment was postponed until March 25, 2010.

In one of several strange twists to this case, Beck did not attempt to post the $175,000 bail. Her attorney, Michael Williamson, says his client “…thinks it will be best..” that she stays in jail to better cooperate with the police probe into the charges.

Last Friday Beck, a sixth grade teacher, turned in her resignation at Jordan Middle School. The unidentified victim was enrolled at Jordan during the alleged sexual affair that went on for several months. On Monday, Beck surrendered to Burbank police and earlier reports say she confessed to having sexual contact with the minor. Beck is married with children.

If found guilty, Beck faces up to seven years in prison. Oddly, Burbank police will not release Beck’s booking photo. Burbank Police Information Officer, Sergeant Robert Quesada, told me “…we won’t be releasing a photo of Ms. Beck… we don’t consider Ms. Beck a danger to the community.”  I can’t help but wonder if a male suspect were facing the same allegations would his booking photo be released?