Overview:
A fifth-grade teacher who has not been identified is on leave in the Boston area after using a racial slur twice in front of children
A fifth-grade teacher who has not been identified is on leave in the Boston area after using a racial slur twice in front of children. In a letter dated May 29 to Southborough parents, Superintendent Gregory L. Martineau outlined two occasions that went against the district’s core values of “equity, inclusivity, empathy, integrity, respect and perseverance.”
According to communication to the community, the district was contacted on April 24, 2024, about two incidents that occurred at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School in January and April 2024.
The incident in January occurred during a history lesson in a fifth-grade classroom at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School on the economy of the Southern colonies. During a lesson about the triangle trade, slave auctions were discussed, and an educator held a mock slave auction. Two children were asked to stand, and the educator and class discussed the physical attributes, which included teeth and strength.
According to Superintendent Martineau’s communication, those actions were unacceptable and violated the district’s “core values.” They are unsound methods of teaching because they trivialize the experience of the victims and can leave students with the impression after the activity that they know what it was like to experience these atrocities (Anti-Defamation League).
Research shows that such simulations are inappropriate for any student and disproportionately traumatic for students of color.
“When we asked teachers to tell us about their favorite lesson when teaching about slavery, dozens proudly described classroom simulations. While simulating democratic processes is a proven practice for good civic education, simulation of traumatic experiences is not shown to be effective, and usually triggers families as well as children. Every year the news brings stories of teachers who get into trouble when families complain about this kind of approach. In particular, families of black students are likely (with good reason) to complain about slavery simulations. While no parent wants to see their child auctioned off or forced to lie still in conditions meant to simulate the Middle Passage, it is important to recognize that such simulations are disproportionately traumatic for students of color. Of course, they are inappropriate for any student; simulations cannot begin to convey the horror of slavery and risk trivializing the subject in the minds of students.” (Southern Poverty Law Center).
In the second incident in April, the same teacher read a book not part of the fifth-grade core English language arts curriculum where they used the ‘N-word.’ The book did not use the language. Parents of students in the class met with the educator and the principal about concerns. Afterward, the educator called out the students who reported their use of the racial slur.
While both the educator and principal were placed on administrative leave, the district has outlined seven steps to address the incidents.