Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: De-emphasize Differences. I was recently assigned to the middle school in the Warren School District. The district serves a community that had once been an all-white middle-class enclave, but has recently become more diverse in its ethnic makeup. I am very interested in multicultural education. I instituted the use of dialog journals in my adviser group, telling the students that they can write anything they want. Some journal entries cause me concern. Warren Jackson, an African American, complains that my emphasis on African American culture embarrasses him. Gail Smith, a white girl, writes that her parents object strongly to her affection for Warren Jackson and that she is considering suicide. My problems come to a head in my first meeting with the principal. The principal suggests that I decrease his use of small groups, that I abandon my dialogue journals, and that I de-emphasize the multicultural aspects of my classes. He suggests that I emphasize similarities, not differences. I don't know what to do. I do think that my methods have some value but I cannot go against my principal. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I like your use of dialogue journals and through them you have learned valuable information about your students. As a professional, I'm sure you handled the suicide threat appropriately. I'm not sure if you should decrease their use. My suggestion to you is to do more culturally responsive teaching. Emphasize mutual respect for all types of diversity. Focus on teaching multiple perspectives with your class as well. I think students need to see that all events are interpreted through different eyes, different times and different places. Students can accept and affirm these multicultural understandings. Unfortunately, not all administrations are ready or willing to be on-board with the challenges of teaching multiculturalism. Be aware of that as you blaze the trail for others.