Ex-Dedham High Teacher Says She Was Victim Of Racist Incidents

DEDHAM, MA — A former Dedham High School teacher alleges that she was the victim of racist incidents from students.

Maria Landaverde, who taught Spanish and Spanish culture classes since 2015, did not have her contract renewed and will not return in the fall. Superintendent Michael Welch confirmed to the Dedham Transcript that she was not brought back and Dedham High Assistant Principal Jim Forrest did not respond to a request for comment.

Landaverde's problems began during a discussion on immigration, which led to one student, a native of Guatemala, asking the teacher to not talk about the subject and another student breaking down and leaving the room in tears.

A meeting with the vice principal went nowhere she said, and attempts to meet with the parent of a student that was intimidating her due to his size were unsuccessful.

Landaverde claims the student intimidating her stole reports on immigration and other students broke the legs on one of her dolls and wrote hateful messages on her smart board.

Tim Dwyer, the president of the Dedham Education Association, called the experience "a hellish year."

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