BURBANK — from www.burbankleader.com – Amy Beck, the former Burbank middle school teacher who turned herself in earlier this month for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old student, faces up to two years in state prison as part of a plea deal announced in court on Thursday.

Beck, a 33-year-old former English and social science teacher at Jordan Middle School, pleaded no contest Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court as part of a deal in which she faces up to two years in state prison, in addition to registering as a sex offender for two charges related to sex with a minor. A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but it is treated as such for sentencing purposes. She is scheduled to be sentenced May 7.

“She understood the day she walked into the police department that she would in fact go to state prison,” her attorney Michael Williamson said.

“Amy feels quite guilty and very remorseful, in fact I would say it’s the highest degree of remorsefulness anyone could ever get to.”

Beck was originally charged with four counts of unlawful sex with a minor and one count of oral copulation with a minor. All but one of those charges were dropped as part of the plea deal, Deputy District Atty. Debra Archuleta said. Another charge that required her to register as a sex offender was added.

“It’s what we do at times to resolve cases quickly,” she said. “I think it’s in the best interests of all the parties that this case be resolved quickly and quietly.”

Beck wore an orange jumpsuit with her hands bound behind her back as she affirmed her no contest plea in court with a series of responses: “Yes ma’am.”

She has remained in custody since March 8, when she turned herself into Burbank Police, her attorney at her side, for allegedly having sex with a former male student during a six-month period, ending in September 2009, authorities said.

Williamson said Beck was not in love with the former student, and that her decision to turn herself into authorities was motivated by guilt.

“Sometimes people struggle with things and the reality is, at some point, you have enough guilt and enough remorse and you step up,” Williamson said. “As to why she may not have [turned herself in] sooner, I can’t speak to that. I know she has done what she believes to have done the right thing.”

Because her husband is a police officer, it was likely Beck will be placed in a protective cell in state prison, Williamson said. He added that she’s been communicating with her family, and that there are no plans for divorce.

“Her family is as fragile as Amy is right now,” Williamson said. “I think her family is concerned that it’s not going to go away.”

Beck’s expected two-year sentence was on the low end of what could have been 18 years in prison, Archuleta said, adding that the former teacher would likely serve one year or less, and become eligible for four years of probation, due to the nature of the charges.

Beck’s current time in jail will count toward her prison time, authorities said.

Earlier this month, Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Patrick Hegarty postponed her arraignment, allowing her attorney more time to review the evidence.

Beck was transferred to a county jail in Lynwood in lieu of $175,000 bail.

The sexual tryst has jolted students, teachers and administrators at Jordan Middle School and across the district, with administrators and teachers saying the matter has left their staff emotionally drained.

Still, life at the campus has been moving forward, said Gabe Soumakian, an assistant superintendent in Burbank Unified.

“The focus is on student learning, and preparing kids for their future,” he said. “We’re focused on doing business.”

School officials said Beck submitted a short resignation letter March 5. The letter was described as a two- or three-sentence note in which Beck notified administrators of her immediate resignation.

Beck has children at Roosevelt Elementary School, school parents said. Her children are staying with relatives and are not attending class, Williamson said.

Parent teacher association representatives at Roosevelt and Jordan have declined to comment.

Described by school officials as a “well respected and loved” teacher who served on the faculty for roughly 10 years, Beck was one of 19 educators honored by the Burbank Kiwanis in 2008 for outstanding work.

Administrators have a substitute in her place to finish the school year.