TORONTO -- A Toronto elementary school teacher is facing 42 charges in connection with a sexual assault investigation.

Police allege that between September 2012 and March 2013, the accused sexually assaulted and made comments to several students.

Investigators say the accused teaches French to Grade 4 to 6 students at Inglewood Heights Jr. Public School and has been a teacher with the Toronto District School Board since 2007.

Christian Kpodjie, 53, of Toronto, is charged with 16 counts of sexual assault, 12 counts of sexual exploitation and 14 counts of assault.

Under the Criminal Code, a sexual assault is defined as any form of unwanted sexual contact.