Tymond Tran, a former Massachusetts middle school teacher who was recognized with Amazon's Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award in 2022, has pleaded not guilty to charges including rape of a child aggravated by an age difference of 10 years or more. Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred during the 2022-23 school year involving a then-14-year-old student while Tran taught eighth grade at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn.
Tran, 38, of Hudson, New Hampshire, also faces charges of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, exhibiting a child in a nude or lascivious pose, and distributing obscene matter to a minor. He appeared in Essex County Superior Court on Wednesday.
He was released on strict court-ordered conditions, including house arrest with GPS monitoring. Tran is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 18, must submit to random searches of his electronic devices, and must avoid all contact with victims and witnesses. He is also barred from possessing child sexual abuse material.
Tran is scheduled to return to court on August 26 for a pretrial conference. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award recognizes educators who promote diversity, equity, and inclusion while encouraging students to pursue careers in computer science and robotics. Recipients are selected for inspiring students through innovative computer science instruction and expanding access to STEM education.
Lynn officials confirmed that Tran was employed by the city's public school district from 2021 to 2024. He left the district voluntarily before achieving professional status. In a joint statement, Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson and Superintendent of Schools Molly Cohen expressed shock and concern, stating that the primary concern is for the well-being of the former student. The district is cooperating with law enforcement, conducting an independent investigation, and offering support to affected students, families, and staff.