A New Jersey high school teacher has been accused of sexually assaulting five male students both on and off of school grounds.

Nicole Dufault, 35, of Caldwell was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting five 15-year-old boys at the Columbia High School in Maplewood, reports WABC-TV.

Police said that the well-liked teacher had oral sex and intercourse with the students during 2013 and 2014 school sessions on multiple occasions. The assaults took place both on school property and in her car.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Dufault, who has taught at the school for nine years, was charged Thursday with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, reports CBS New York.

She has pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $500,000 bail. Her own two young children were also placed in protective custody.

"I don't understand how someone can't pick up the clues for something like that or how any one of those kids would not have said something before now. It's really surprising to me," said Jennifer Berkeley, a parent of a student at the school.

"In her car? Where? Where could that have happened?" said Julia Uhlman, a recent graduate. "They're 15, not even 17, 18, not even high school seniors. That's appalling. She should be fired."

A neighbor of Dufault named Nancy Ursetti was shocked to hear the disturbing news.

"She was so gentle with those children, she seemed like the best mother," Ursetti said, "If you can't trust her, it's like, 'Oh, my gosh.'"

South Orange/Maplewood Acting Supt. James G. Memoli and Columbia High School Principal Elizabeth Aaron issued a statement ensuring that the school is taking precautions for students who might have been affected.

"The CHS administrative team, guidance counselors, student assistance counselors, school social workers, and teachers are actively supporting students and staff impacted by events," the letter reads. "If your child is showing signs of stress in reaction to the events or the investigation, please reach out to his or her guidance counselor or a member of the administrative team."

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