A teacher in Massachusetts has been placed on leave following a disturbing incident where she organized a mock slave auction and used derogatory language.
According to a report by CNN, the incident took place in a 5th-grade classroom at Margaret Neary Elementary School.
Incident Details
Parents were notified through a letter that the teacher conducted an unplanned mock slave auction in January. During a discussion on the Transatlantic Slave Trade, she asked two students of color to stand in front of the class.
The teacher proceeded to describe the physical attributes, such as teeth and strength, of the students portraying slaves.
The superintendent of the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough, Gregory Martineau, condemned the teacher’s actions, labeling them as “unacceptable” and in violation of the district’s values.
Use of Derogatory Language
In a separate incident in April, the same teacher used a racial slur while reading a book to the students. It was later discovered that the book did not contain the offensive word.
Martineau emphasized the harmful impact of dehumanizing language, stating that such words should not be used by school staff or students as they can hinder open discussions and harm students.
