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!) This is a difficult issue to address, especially when your principal is not on board. I would strongly explain the importance of the dialog journals and how the is an opportunity for students to share their feelings and a gateway to express their life problems, concerns and values. I hope your principal will come around to see the importance. Its also a great writing tool as all learners need practicing on writing. The information you gained while reading these dialog journals is critical information. As educators we never want to interfere too much with our students personal life but we wan to ensure they are safe and happy. However based Gails submissions it is critical that she speaks with the school counselor. Warrens submissions is a learning tool for the teacher directly. Now you can reflect on how you convey cultural differences in a way that doe snot single any race out. Ultimately teachers have little authority and we must follow what our administration tells us, but by supporting what you doing your classroom and voicing your opinion is definitely a respectable thing to do.