Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Smelly Kid I guess I am still considered a novice teacher because I have been teaching for four years only. I am an elementary school teacher who teaches in a mostly White suburban setting. Couple of weeks ago a new student joined my classroom. He and his parents recently moved from Eastern Europe. His father works at the local university as a music professor. I am not sure what his mother does. He is a wonderful child. Although he speaks little English, he tries to participate in class activities and to make friends with others in the classroom. Couple days after he arrived, I noticed a strange smell around him. I was sure that it was body odor. The other students in the classroom started noticing it too. They started making fun of him. I learned in my multicultural classes when I was at the university that not all cultures promote taking showers everyday, and that body odor is not considered a problem everywhere in the world. Now I have a big dilemma. If I tell my student about it, I might embarrass him. If I sent a note to his parents, I may appear disrespectful toward their culture. But the way he is treated in the classroom by the other students is becoming a real problem. What should I do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I believe that you cannot look at it as being disrespectful to a certain culture. You as a teacher's first responsibility is towards the student and their education. The simple fact is that the child is being made fun of because of the way he smells. I am sure that he does not enjoy being made fun of and I am sure that the teasing is most likely affecting his ability and desire to learn. He may not feel safe or comfortable in the classroom with his classmates. When speaking with the parents you must approach it from that point of view. You must explain that you are not trying to offend them but simply looking out for their child's well being and education. I am not sure how a parent could get mad at that approach but if they do get mad just know that you did the right thing. That you wanted to help that child succeed. You cannot control how others react.