Teacher receives 10 years felony probation

A former Rockdale High School teacher, Shawnee Nicole Despain, 26, who had a child with a 17-yearold student (he was 16 when the affair started) pleaded guilty in November of having an improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

At her sentencing on Friday, 20th State District Court Judge John W. Youngblood placed Despain on felony probation for 10 years, fined her $3,000 and ordered her to forfeit her teaching license. He also ordered sex offender evaluation for her and any t r e at me nt recommended by probation officials.

Milam County District Attorney Brian Price argued that Despain deserved prison time, telling the judge that if the case had involved a male teacher preying on a female student, he would go to prison.

“My argument to the judge was that she was in a position of power and trust over students, and she used that to abuse this young man, and that is going to affect him his entire life,” Price said.

Despain resigned from her job at RHS in September 2023 after an investigation showed she had a sexual relationship with a student. The relationship produced a child, which DNA testing revealed did not belong to Despain’s husband, according to Price.

Investigators found text messages and a video showing her and the student having sex according to the arrest affidavit.

Rockdale ISD is deeply disappointed in the outcome of Friday’s sentencing hearing. Rockdale ISD firmly believes that Mrs. Despain’s actions were unacceptable and that educators must be held accountable for misconduct, regardless of gender or the student’s age.

“We need our policymakers to ensure that justice is applied consistently and fairly in all cases involving the safety of students,” said Superintendent Dr. Denise Monzingo. “I worry that, without meaningful consequences, this ruling risks minimizing the severity of the offense, suggesting that educators can exploit their power with fewer consequences.”