Former Minnesota Teacher of the Year Convicted For Abusing Student

Minnesota’s education system is facing yet another black eye after a celebrated teacher once hailed as “Teacher of the Year” was found guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old student.

Abdul Jameel Wright, who earned statewide accolades in 2016, was convicted Wednesday in Hennepin County after waiving his right to a jury trial, according to KMSP.

The case dates back to 2017, when the victim’s mother reported to police that her daughter had been repeatedly assaulted. In court testimony, the young woman said Wright began abusing her shortly after his award, forcing her into sexual encounters more than “50 times” in classrooms, his car, her family’s apartment, and at his temporary residence.

She further testified that Wright required her to use contraceptives weekly while the assaults continued.

After the verdict, the victim’s father said justice had “prevailed,” while her attorneys commended her for the courage to come forward. She is also pursuing a civil lawsuit against both Wright and the school’s former leadership.

A State in Crisis Under Democrat Leadership

The conviction is only the latest in a string of disturbing scandals, crimes, and failures that have plagued Minnesota under Democrat Gov. Tim Walz, who just last year ran as then–Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate.

• Mass Shooting at Catholic School: In August, Robin Westman, a biological male formerly known as Robert Westman, opened fire through stained-glass windows at Annunciation Catholic School near Minneapolis during a back-to-school Mass. Two children were killed and 17 parishioners wounded.
• Political Murders: In June, Democrat State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home. That same night, the suspect also shot and wounded Democrat State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Reports say the gunman targeted other lawmakers as well.
• Senator’s Burglary Conviction: Last month, State Sen. Nicole Mitchell (D) resigned after being convicted of first-degree burglary. Mitchell was caught on police bodycam wearing all black and a ski mask while breaking into her stepmother’s home. She later admitted, “I know I did something bad.”
• FBI Fraud Probe: Federal agents raided Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program in August, executing search warrants at eight locations tied to five providers accused of fraudulently billing the government. U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson warned the fraud problem in Minnesota is systemic.
• Threats Against Lawmakers: In June, longtime lobbyist Jonathan Bohn was charged after threatening to “blow somebody’s face off” at the state capitol. Police reports say he bragged about his ammunition stockpile in text messages.

From violent crime to political corruption to massive government fraud, Minnesota has become a case study in Democrat mismanagement. And now, the conviction of a once-celebrated teacher for preying on a child underscores a deeper cultural rot in a state that has long been governed by the left.

President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly warned that Democrat-run states are suffering collapse in law, order, and morality. Minnesota, tragically, is proving him right.