A fifth-grade teacher in Southborough, Massachusetts, has been placed on paid leave after holding a mock slave auction and using a racial epithet during instruction. The incidents occurred in January and April and were brought to the attention of the superintendent on April 24. The teacher made examples of two children of color during the mock slave auction, discussing attributes such as teeth and strength, which the superintendent described as unacceptable. In April, the teacher read from a book that was not part of the curriculum and used the N-word, which was not in the book’s pages.
The state teachers’ union did not immediately offer a response, and the local union was unreachable. Following the incidents, the teacher was placed on leave while undergoing due process procedures that could determine their status with the district. The school’s principal was also placed on 10 days of paid leave in May. The superintendent expressed regret for the teacher’s actions and acknowledged that there were missteps in the district’s initial reaction to the incidents. He apologized to the teacher’s students and took responsibility for ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
Parents in the area expressed concern about the incidents and how they were handled, with one parent noting that similar incidents happening twice should be addressed. The president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts suggested that the incidents could be a learning moment for the school district. He emphasized the importance of being intentional and proactive in developing practices and engaging the community on difficult topics related to race and history. The superintendent vowed to work towards ensuring that students are in safe and supportive learning environments and committed to addressing any missteps that occurred in the process.
The teacher’s actions were deemed unacceptable by the superintendent, who recognized that such instructional methods can traumatize Black students and trivialize the horrors of slavery. He stated that singling out a student, as the teacher did after learning of complaints, was not acceptable. In response to the incidents, a meeting was held with the teacher and the school’s principal to address the situation and take responsibility for the mistakes made. The teacher’s status with the district will be determined through due process procedures, while the principal was placed on a temporary leave of absence.
The incidents at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School have caused concern among parents and community members, with calls for proactive measures to address issues related to race and history. The superintendent apologized for the events and acknowledged that there were missteps in the district’s response. He pledged to work towards ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and to take responsibility for any errors that occurred. The incidents underscore the importance of addressing difficult topics and developing practices that promote understanding and inclusivity in schools.
