Louisiana Teacher Christie Oster of the Year Arrested on Sex-Related Charges Involving Juvenile

BROUSSARD, La.  — A Louisiana middle school teacher who was honored as Teacher of the Year just months ago has been arrested and charged with sex-related offenses involving a juvenile, authorities said.

Christie Elizabeth Dunbar Oster, 38, an eighth-grade math teacher at Broussard Middle School, was taken into custody Jan. 28 and booked on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and carnal knowledge of a juvenile, the Lafayette Police Department said.

Oster was selected as the school’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year in September, according to a now-deleted social media post from the school celebrating the award.

Police allege Oster maintained an inappropriate relationship with a former student. Under Louisiana law, the carnal-knowledge statute applies when a person older than 17 has sexual intercourse with someone between the ages of 13 and 17 when the age difference is more than four years.

Oster was being held in the Lafayette Parish Jail on a $50,000 bond. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

A spokesperson for the Lafayette Parish School District said Oster has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues. The district did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.