The Princeville Montessori School Incidence

Re-post NamSouth 2002

 

September 16, 2002

Dr. W. Steve Stone
412 Pearl Street
Tarboro, NC 27886

Dear Dr. Stone,

Since I have removed my daughter, Dixie Townsend, from Mrs. Maultsby's first grade class at the *Princeville Montessori School, I am writing you since I feel you should know the reason for this action. In the spring of this year my wife, our daughter and I moved from California to Tarboro. Upon the recommendation of Denise and William Overman, from whom we bought our home, we enrolled our daughter at Princeville. We were pleased that she would be in such a school as she had attended Montessori pre-school in California. Dixie went to kindergarten in the **California public school system and during this year her English much improved. She is one-half Vietnamese.

Our daughter went to the Princeville School for a short time at the end of last year and then was tutored throughout the summer by her teacher, Miss Mayo. I cannot say enough about the warm and caring individual Dixie found in her teacher. Miss Mayo is one of the sweetest and kindest individuals I have known whether she was in the classroom or visiting in my home. As the summer ended, I felt comfortable knowing that Dixie would be attending this school.

Shortly after the beginning of school, Dixie's attitude changed and she didn't want to go to school,where before she had always been eager to attend. At times she would ask her Mother if she had to go to school and was very disappointed when told yes. She became lethargic and did not want to get up in the morning. Then for two days in a row, she cried and stated she did not want to go to school, but would not answer as to the reason. Finally, on the third day, she cried and said she did not want to go because her teacher was mean and yelled at her. When I asked Mrs. Maultsby about this, she stated that she never yelled and that I could sit in her classroom whenever I liked. I told her that I didn't believe that it would be necessary at that time. I finally got Dixie to go into the classroom, but from then on I noticed how very tired she was at the end of each day. Since that time I noticed that Mrs. Maultsby was never available for even a few words after school. Always, "I have to go to a
meeting" or something in that regard. 

On September the 4th, I went to pick up Dixie at 2:30. I saw Miss Mayo first and had a few pleasant words with her. I then saw Mrs. Maultsby with Dixie. Mrs. Maultsby approached me, obviously not in a happy state, and abruptly informed me that Dixie had not done her homework and to talk to her. She was extremely rude with a countenance that was scary. She was looking at Dixie as though she hated her. When I stated that she had done her homework, Mrs. Maultsby, glared at me and said she had not. I tried to continue the conversation while I was going through Dixie's bag looking for the homework, but Mrs. Maultsby hurried away. I was truly shocked. I couldn't believe that a teacher would act in this manner. This was on the curbside of the pick up area full with teachers, parents and children. I then followed Mrs. Maultsby, with Dixie by my side, all the while rummaging through the school bag. I attempted to get close to Mrs. Maultsby at this time, but she disappeared. I found her again near where Miss Mayo was standing and tried to talk to her, but she only wanted to argue. I stated, "I am not going to argue with you." She then agreed to go to her room with me. All this time she was obviously in a foul mood, furious with whom, I can't be sure. When we arrived in her classroom, she seemed to be in a vindictive mood. She was angry, hostile and spiteful. She abruptly opened Dixie's drawer to show us that Dixie had forgotten her blank paper on which she was to do her homework. She seemed very pleased that Dixie had made a mistake.

She stated emphatically that all the children had to listen to her and do exactly as she said. I then told her that Dixie had done her homework on a piece of paper that I had furnished at home. She then
stated that there was a paper with no name, but when they asked whose paper it was, that no one answered. I asked her where was it now. To which she replied that she did not know. So, evidently, Mrs. Maultsby couldn't be bothered to ask Dixie directly if that was her paper. Better to just throw it away and accuse Dixie of not doing her homework! I assume that Dixie was too terrified to answer since she had forgotten to put her name on the paper and was truly afraid of Mrs. Maultsby. 

Looking at Mrs. Maultsby's face at this juncture, I decided it best we leave. I believe she was very close to loosing control completely. I then went to see the Principal, Ms. Odom. She was very polite. When I informed her briefly of the incident, I also told her I could not possibly keep Dixie in her class as Mrs. Maultsby was obviously not a good role model. Ms. Odom stated she couldn't move each child whenever a parent wanted such, but would schedule a meeting between the three of us. I thought that she should have called Mrs. Maultsby into her office at this time, as everything would be fresh and she could see Mrs. Maultsby's composure. Also, I told her that many people had seen this incidence and she should get some other opinions. To which she stated that she didn't want to get anyone else involved. I even told her that Miss Mayo had seen some of it, all to no avail. We scheduled the appointment at 2:45 the next day, as I already had a meeting scheduled with Mrs. Maultsby.

I went home with Dixie and as we were entering the front door, she said, "Daddy, why was my teacher so mean to you?" Then she stated, "I want to buy my teacher some red pencils, so she won't be so mean to me all the time." A short while later, I called Ms. Odorn, told her of Dixie's comments and stated that the only way Dixie could stay in her school would be for Dixie to be transferred and a written apology be given me by Mrs.Maultsby. I also stated that I didn't believe that Dixie should go to school the next day. Ms. Odom said she would see me tomorrow. During that evening and the next morning, the main thought that kept going through my head was, " I can't believe this happened." However, I honestly thought that Mrs. Maultsby would at least say that she was sorry, for she was in a bad mood or something to that effect. When the three of us met on Thursday, I asked Mrs. Maultsby, "What are your recollections of what happened yesterday?" she started to give a very benign report acting as though nothing had happened and at the first factual error, I tried to say something, to which she stated, Are you going to let me finish?" I stated, "I believe we are wasting time." Then I said, "Are you willing to furnish me with a written letter of apology?" To which she stated that she did not know why she should and that she had co-workers. . . . . . . At this time I realized what I feared had happened. I believed that a cover up had been attempted. All of which could have been avoided if Ms. Odom had called Mrs. Maultsby, Miss Mayo and others into her office at the time that I went to see her. I then stood up, and stated that "Dixie is out of here." "I will be writing a detailed letter to the Superintendent." As I walked out of the room I stated, "You are the rudest person I have ever met."

I have enrolled Dixie in another ***school where she is happy and eager to go to school each day just as she was before. She arises each morning with zeal and the spring has returned to her step after school. This is the fifth child that I have sent through school. I have never had a confrontation with a teacher; never the slightest problem that I can remember. I am appalled that a teacher would act in such a manner.

Mrs. Maultsby clearly is in the wrong profession.

Cordially,

Brock Townsend
94 Roberson School Road
Tarboro, NC 27886
242-823-4860

TOWNSEND L@CS.COM

* Public school
**On Camp Pendleton
***Tarboro Edgecombe Academy