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Case: Smelly Kid
I guess I am still considered a novice teacher because I have been teaching for four years only. I am an elementary school teacher who teaches in a mostly White suburban setting. Couple of weeks ago a new student joined my classroom. He and his parents recently moved from Eastern Europe. His father works at the local university as a music professor. I am not sure what his mother does. He is a wonderful child. Although he speaks little English, he tries to participate in class activities and to make friends with others in the classroom. Couple days after he arrived, I noticed a strange smell around him. I was sure that it was body odor. The other students in the classroom started noticing it too. They started making fun of him. I learned in my multicultural classes when I was at the university that not all cultures promote taking showers everyday, and that body odor is not considered a problem everywhere in the world. Now I have a big dilemma. If I tell my student about it, I might embarrass him. If I sent a note to his parents, I may appear disrespectful toward their culture. But the way he is treated in the classroom by the other students is becoming a real problem. What should I do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
At this point, being disrespectful is a risk you must take. Regardless of their culture, if they are financially able to bathe, they should. You must confront the parents in the most respectful way possible. They need to know that his body odor is an issue that needs to be resolved. If nothing changes he will continue to get picked on and be a distraction to everyone including you. This is a case where it is OK to risk being disrespectful to another culture. |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I agree with your solution. I think that in order for this child and the other students to concentrate and focus is to inform the parents of situation. I also think that involving the nurse and/or school counselor would be beneficial in the situation. Either way, informing the parents from the start will be the most beneficial thing to do. |
| Rated On: June 5, 2014 5:41 pm |
| Rated By: Haley Moore |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: Though I do think the parents and student should be informed of the American culture, I feel that this is not the way to do it. |
| Rated On: October 20, 2014 4:05 pm |
| Rated By: Maryssa Kane |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I think a lesson on health would be a great idea to implement in a lesson! |
| Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:38 am |
| Rated By: RaMevy |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I think you present some great ideas
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| Rated On: October 18, 2015 4:38 am |
| Rated By: Krystalynn Gulczewski |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I agree, rather be "culturally" disrespectful for the kid's sake than remaining silent. |
| Rated On: October 10, 2017 10:34 pm |
| Rated By: reLuWe |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: I do not think it is ever okay to risk being disrespectful to another culture. Whatever solution is pursued, respect of the family's culture is important. |
| Rated On: February 25, 2018 6:27 am |
| Rated By: eguPud |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: Although it does need to be addressed there are many ways of doing it that does not involve disrespecting them or their culture, it needs to be handled with care not bluntness. |
| Rated On: October 19, 2020 1:26 am |
| Rated By: peXehu |
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