Weird thing is that this happened in Tarboro which is not at all like Charlotte or Raleigh. Tarboro area is not affluent, and it is far, far removed from any big city.
Was this a Negro school? From the names of the participants it could be.
I read the entire web site. Looks to be about half white, half black, both kids and faculty/staff.
I wonder if the teacher is part of the Teach for America program. Education graduates agree to teach in less desirable schools for help paying their student loans. My county in NC has had them, mostly northern young women, who do not fit in. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one.