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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!)
This is difficult. And I will admit, body odor is a "pet peeve" of mine, but I would certainly still try to be gracious. First, I would address the rest of the class (when this student is not present). Tell them they are being inconsiderate and ungracious. Remind them instead that they should work to speak only kind words to one another. You cannot tell your students that there is no smell, but you can remind them that everyone has body odor, and it is not something we should call attention to.
As for addressing the smell, I would certainly do some research. I would learn more about his culture and how such a request may be perceived. I would also talk to the guidance counselor to see if they have any advice. Otherwise, I would try to speak to this student, just in general and in private, about their daily routine. Once learning about his habits, perhaps talk about other kinds of habits, ones that include washing hands and bathing regularly. This may be enough for him to ask questions. If not, you may need to humbly talk to his parents about hygiene in your classroom. Let them know that he is doing well in the classroom, but that his hygiene has caused him to be the target of ridicule. This is not to excuse other students, but it may help his parents see why this would help him. If, for some reason, the parents are ok with him bathing more but do not have the means for him to do so, perhaps he can shower at school if there are locker rooms.