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!) While it is important to talk about differences and celebrate them, it is important to talk about the things that make us similar. Differences can help us to grow as individuals and help us to teach others, but similarities unite and bind us as a whole. I would continue with the journals, and I would try to conference with each of the students. They wrote those entries as a way to talk to you and ask for help. For Mr. Jackson, I would ask him what I could do to help him feel more comfortable in the class; what ways could I change my teaching style to help him. For Mrs. Smith, I would talk to the school councilor first. Based on his or her recommendations, I would decide what to do next. Maybe I could conference with the parents and talk to them about their daughters feeling with the councilor. It is important for her parents to know how important they are to her and how much their support means. In the end, your class activities are for the students, so it is important to use their feedback and make sure to protect their well being.