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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 agree with the principal and I would think it would be best to emphasize similarities. We all know and are all continuously told of the differences, and it is a nice change to focus on the similarities. I also think that the journals will bring you more problems as a teacher, and I would also get rid of those as well. |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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Comments:
Although I agree that in this case the journals usage was not in accordance with an educational purpose, journals do have a place in the classroom. The direction to write about whatever you want did not give the students the parameters they needed. As to not discussing cultural differences, I think that teaching about other cultures in the right context is very important because of the diversity in our classrooms today. Focusing only on similarities between peoples will not embrace our individualistic qualities as a people. |
| Rated On: October 16, 2014 11:42 pm |
| Rated By: Denise Lukacik |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: Most Administrators are knowledgeable on multicultural issues and base their decisions on what is best for the student and the school. If dialogue journals cause a backlash among parents and administration asks you to stop, then do it and find another way to teach your students. I would recommend more culturally responsive teaching. |
| Rated On: June 8, 2015 8:11 pm |
| Rated By: uqeXun |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: I personally do not believe the journals should be removed from the equation. Sometimes the only way people can get their real feelings out is on paper. I believe the journals are very helpful, and should be used. I do however believe that the reasoning behind the use of journals should be presented to both the principle and the parents. |
| Rated On: June 10, 2015 4:30 pm |
| Rated By: TyhyMa |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: I believe that the journals are used for insight and that with out them the teacher wouldn't even know he had a problem. I think recognizing these differences is the best way to help and then start focusing on the similarities. |
| Rated On: October 16, 2017 5:22 pm |
| Rated By: Xupuva |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: I think this solution is unreasonable and not likely to solve the problem. I would not use this solution. |
| Rated On: February 25, 2018 11:23 pm |
| Rated By: Samantha Rey |
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