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 think that your efforts are very affective. I believe that every student should be able to get their feelings out on paper every now and then. Writing is a great way to convey emotions or anything really. Some people write down what they wont come out and say. This is why I think what you are doing with the journaling is a good thing. Despite there being some things that you don't like to read, this could allow the student to actively seek some help if they need to talk to someone about what is going on. Do I think you should get involved? No. I think the counselor should be the one that handles this situation. I do not think you should stop doing the journaling though. It is obvious the students need to let out some of their emotions instead of keeping them balled up inside.