A Manhattan prep school teacher whose brand of “health and wellness” education received national attention this year will not be returning in the fall.
Fox News reports that Justine Ang Fonte, who has been teaching at the elite Dalton Academy, which charges $55,000 per year for tuition, has resigned from her position as the director of Health and Wellness.
Fonte, who was accused of showing a cartoon video to kindergarten students which discussed masturbation, also gave a “pornography literacy” seminar to high school students at another Manhattan prep school, Columbia Grammar & Prep School, in May, which outraged and disgusted many parents and students alike.
If Fonte was fired because of her highly inappropriate curricula, however, Dalton Academy did not say so.
She appears to be leaving in good standing and with high praise from the school’s head.
“Throughout her tenure at Dalton, Justine Ang Fonte has helped to develop an exemplary K-12 Health and Wellness program. Dalton — our faculty, staff, administration, and trustees — continue to stand firmly behind this program and those who teach it,” Dalton Head of School, Jim Best, told parents in an email on Friday.
“At faculty and staff meetings this week, Justine announced her decision to leave Dalton to focus on her work as an independent Health Educator,” he continued. “She has been working toward this goal for over a year. We support Justine’s aspirations and look forward to honoring her accomplishments as the academic year comes to a close.”
Fox News notes that Fonte is the third member of Dalton’s faculty to resign as the school’s adaptation of more controversial educational methods has come under scrutiny.
The school’s director of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” Domonic Rollins, left in February to “pursue other opportunities,” while Best himself announced in April he is also resigning after 16 years at the school to pursue “other exciting and inspiring opportunities.”
One parent was rather annoyed that Fonte’s departure was announced in such a conciliatory tone.
“This inability to admit a mistake or acknowledge a misstep is strange,” she said, according to Fox News. “It shows a real lack of emotional intelligence and self-awareness on behalf of the leadership team.”
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