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 were detailed in a letter to parents by the superintendent of the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough. The teacher at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School held the mock auction as part of a history lesson on the economy of the southern colonies. During the auction, two children of color were singled out and discussed based on attributes like teeth and strength, which the superintendent deemed traumatizing and unacceptable.
In addition to the mock auction, the same teacher read from and discussed a book that was not part of the curriculum, using the N-word, although the word did not appear in the book itself. The incidents were brought to light on April 24, and a meeting was held with the teacher and the school’s principal to address the situation. However, the teacher called out a student who had complained about one of the incidents the following day, which was deemed unacceptable by the superintendent. As a result, the teacher was placed on leave and is undergoing due process procedures to determine their status with the district.
The school’s principal was also placed on 10 days of paid leave in May following the incidents. A parent planning to enroll her child in Southborough Public Schools expressed concern that similar incidents happened twice and emphasized the importance of addressing such situations. The president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts highlighted the incidents as a learning moment for the school district, urging them to be intentional and proactive in addressing difficult topics like these. The superintendent issued an apology to the teacher’s students and took responsibility for missteps in the district’s initial response, recognizing the need for safe and supportive learning environments for all students.
The state teachers’ union did not respond to requests for comment, and the local union could not be reached regarding the incidents. The superintendent acknowledged the seriousness of the incidents and expressed regret for the impact they had on the students and community. The teacher’s actions were condemned as unacceptable and potentially harmful to Black students, trivializing the horrors of slavery. The incidents have raised concerns among parents and community members about the school’s handling of sensitive topics and the need for improved education and awareness around racial issues.
Moving forward, the superintendent emphasized the importance of transparency, taking responsibility for mistakes, and ensuring that students are provided with safe and supportive learning environments. The district plans to engage the community in discussions about difficult topics and develop proactive practices to address issues of race and discrimination. The incidents at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for education and awareness around racial sensitivity and the importance of creating inclusive and respectful learning environments for all students.
