PORTLAND, Ore. -- A high school Spanish teacher is accused of selling methamphetamine to a police informant.

Zuleyma Figueroa appeared in court Friday on charges of possession and delivery of meth.

Figueroa, also known as "Ms. Fig" to students, has been on unpaid leave from Portland's Benson Polytechnic High School since Nov. 19.

Court documents allege that Figueroa sold meth to a police informant at least one time and that her roommate, Concepcion Mendez Hernandez, sold the drug to an informant multiple times.

Investigators said Figueroa did not sell meth to students.

During a search of Figueroa's home near Southeast 146th Avenue and Lincoln Street, investigators said they found nearly an ounce of meth, almost $10,000 in cash, drug-packaging material and scales.

Steve Olczak, the principal at Benson Polytechnic High School, said he had a hard time believing Figueroa was under investigation for illegal drugs.

"Her career as a Spanish teacher is exemplary. She's a team player with the staff, very popular with the kids and a highly successful teacher and it's been a shock to the school community," he said.

Olczak said detectives came forward with allegations that Figueroa possessed and sold meth about three weeks ago. She was placed on leave pending the investigation's outcome, district officials said.

"There are a lot of upset people, both here at school and in families," he said.

Figueroa taught at Benson for eight years and took leadership roles in the school's cultural diversity program.

The news has been hard for some students to understand.

"We had counselors in the classroom to talk with kids on an as-needed basis. We've kept space open in the counseling center, let kids know if they need to talk about it they can come in," Olczak said.

A neighbor said he spoke with Figueroa and she told him she would be exonerated in the case against her.

"She just said, 'I'm innocent and it will all be proven next week and I'll hopefully be back to teaching,'" said John Hall.

Benson High School Teacher Faces Meth Charges