WORCESTER, Mass. - As a Central Massachusetts school works to investigate an insensitive lesson on slavery, it's calling attention to how the topic is taught in schools across the country. 

There are no national standards on how to teach about the history of enslaved people in America. The founder of the Worcester Black History Project said more education may be needed for teachers.

A fifth grade teacher at Margaret Neary Elementary School in Southborough is on leave following alleged racist incidents, including holding an impromptu mock slave auction during a history lesson on slavery in January and using a racial slur during another lesson. 

As these topics will continue to be discussed in classrooms, Deb Hall, founder of the Worcester Black History Project and executive director of the YWCA, said most people still feel uncomfortable talking about race in America.

She said this part of history is very important to teach about, but she's worried teachers aren't getting enough education or preparation when it comes to teaching about slavery in the United States. 

"Educators are not prepared. Somewhere along the lines, we are failing them," she said. "You go to school, you're teaching them theory, you're not being taught 'How do I teach about enslavement in the United States of America?' You're not taught that. And so there aren't courses that focus on or bring to light teachers and their own biases. For our educators we need to provide more support and that needs to come from states, that needs to come from administrations and so I think if we learned a lesson we can move forward in more positive light."

Hall does have some advice for teachers; she recommends they educate themselves as much as possible before a lesson. If they're ever unsure, they can always run their idea by someone else. 

She also said school districts can hire someone to help develop multi-cultural curriculums.