A fifth-grade teacher in Massachusetts is on paid leave after holding a mock slave auction, using a racial slur and calling out the student who reported the slur.
Gregory Martineau, superintendent of Southborough's school district, said in a statement last week that he first learned about the incidents from parents in April.
He said the first incident, a mock slave auction, took place in January during a history lesson on the economy of the Southern colonies.
"An educator was teaching about the triangle trade, and slave auctions were discussed. During the lesson, the educator held an impromptu mock slave auction," Martineau said. "The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength)."
Martineau went on to say that holding a mock slave auction "is unacceptable and violates the District's core values."
"Simulations or role plays when teaching about historical atrocities or trauma are not appropriate, and these teaching methods are not to be used," he explained. "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."
The second incident occurred in April when the same teacher was reading aloud from a book "that was recommended by a colleague" and used a slur.
"In reading and discussing the text, the educator used the 'N-word.' It was later brought to the District's attention that the 'N-word' does not appear in the book," Martineau said.
The book was not part of the fifth-grade core English language arts curriculum but instead was "recommended by a colleague," Martineau added.
"Dehumanizing words such as slurs should not be spoken by employees or students. Using such words can harm students and negatively impact an open discussion on a particular topic," he said.
The parents of students in the class had an opportunity to meet with the teacher and the principal to learn about the two incidents, but that led to another problem.
"The goal was to be transparent with families and take responsibility for mistakes," Martineau said. "The next day, the educator inappropriately called out the student who had reported the educator's use of the racial slur, which is not acceptable."
The district began a formal investigation at that time and the teacher was placed on paid administrative leave. The principal was also placed on paid leave from May 6 to May 16.
"Paid administrative leave allows for a thorough and unbiased investigation. Currently, the District is engaged in due process procedures with the educator who remains on leave. All personnel matters will remain confidential," Martineau said.
The investigation is ongoing.