Toms River Teacher Cleared In Slavery Lesson Complaint

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River Intermediate East teacher's classroom lesson on slavery that drew a student complaint has been cleared by district officials who said he was not intentionally trying to offend students.

"We have determined that it was not teacher Lawrence Cuneo’s intention to offend his students, the district said in a statement released Thursday. "Rather, the purpose of the instruction was that this appalling but nevertheless real facet of our nation’s history more fully resonate with students."

The complaint on Instagram, which was circulated to some media outlets, alleged Cuneo had kicked some of the students in his eighth-grade social studies class at Toms River Intermediate East and described the exercises in the classroom activity as degrading and prompted the district's investigation.

Media coverage of the complaint in turn prompted recent and former students and to defend Cuneo and the lesson, which they said had a significant impact on their understanding of the horrors or slavery. Read more: Toms River Students Defend Teacher, Hands-On Slavery Lesson

The district statement said it will be taking another look at the classroom lessons.

"District leaders, curriculum directors, and teachers, including Mr. Cuneo, are working together to revisit the delivery of instruction to ensure it meets the needs, and accounts for the sensitivities, of all students," the statement said.

"The district maintains that all personnel matters remain confidential," it said.

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