Diana H. Park, 38, was charged theft by unlawful taking and falsifying/tampering with public records, the state said.
TENAFLY - A middle school math teacher accused of misappropriating a school association's funds will no longer be permitted to teach in New Jersey, according to a finding by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Diana H. Park, 38, was charged a year ago with theft by unlawful taking and falsifying/tampering with public records after $133,414.41 went missing from the MacKay Home and School Association in Tenafly, according to the state.
As a condition of pre-trial intervention, Park - who worked in the Tenafly School District - paid the full amount in restitution on May 27, 2015.
Park holds two mathematics certificates, issued in 2000 and 2003, according to the state.
The N.J. Department of Education revoked both certificates on March 3.
N.J. teacher charged with theft
Park could not be reached for comment. A spokeswoman for Bergen County law enforcement did not respond to a request for further details about Park's case.
"Teachers are professional employees to whom the people have entrusted the care and custody of school children," the education department's board of examiners wrote in its determination.
"This heavy duty requires a degree of self-restraint and controlled behavior rarely requisite to other types of employment," the board wrote. "Moreover, unfitness to hold a position in a school system may be shown by one incident, if sufficiently flagrant."
Before the decision, the board asked Park via certified mail to show cause as to why her certificates should not be revoked.
Park stated she was "truly remorseful" and that her behavior was out of character and did not indicate what type of teacher and person she is, adding that she is "in a much better place now."
"She stated that her actions occurred during a tumultuous time in her life, which did not excuse her conduct," the board wrote. "She asked that her mistake not cost her a job that she loved and enjoyed doing."
Park declined an opportunity to appear in person before the board of examiners.
The board ordered Park to return her certificates to the state by early April.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.