Potter Road Teacher Issues Apology For Her 'Poor Choice of Words'

Potter Road Elementary music teacher Janice Waterman returned back to the classroom on Monday Jan. 5, after a leave of absence.

Parents were informed of Waterman’s return, in a letter emailed to them Wednesday evening by Principal Paula Del Prete.

The music teacher had not been teaching her classes since before Thanksgiving.

At that time, a handful of parents complained to the school’s vice principal about a ‘racist’ statement made by the teacher in a fourth grade classroom to an African-American boy. Some of those parents told Framingham Patch about the complaints they made to school administration.

In a letter sent to parents Wednesday night, Jan. 7, Waterman apologizes for her “poor choice of words when speaking with a student.” No more specifics were mentioned.

The parents of the student whom the remark was made to had a private meeting with school administration on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the school.

Waterman in her letter to parents wrote, ”please know I used my time to reflect on my own practice and to research new strategies to use in my teaching. I worked closely with Principal Del Prete, FTA leadership, and central administration throughout that time and I am grateful for their support.”

While on her leave of absence, Waterman spent some time at Dunning Elementary School shadowing some staff.

“I am excited to return to work,” wrote Waterman to parents. “and pleased to move forward with a new understanding after this important learning experience.”

Editor’s Note: Waterman’s letter to parents is attached to this report.

Del Prete in her letter to parents wrote “this has been a difficult situation for all parties in the face of many rumors.”

Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott told Framingham Patch, when asked specifically about the incident last year: ”Whether intentional or accidental, Framingham Public Schools does not condone the use of disparaging remarks especially ones that may be prejudicial or racist. We seek to support all students and want to see their differences as a source of richness instead of as a deficit.”

“Potter Road remains a learning community that values all of our students and families,” wrote Del Prete to parents. ”Potter Road will be working on developing resources and ways to examine how we can better meet the needs of all of our students and to provide professional development for staff. We hope we can put this situation to rest and move on.”

Editor’s Note: Framingham Patch did not name the teacher in our initial report on this matter, pending the investigation; but Waterman signed her name in the letter to parents, thus why her name is being used now.