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Case: Uneasiness and Fear Mrs. Clare was well prepared for her culturally diverse first grade students this school year. She was looking forward to learning more about the five different countries and cultures represented in her classroom. She had completed all of the required courses to successfully earn her ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching endorsement. She was very aware of how to enrich her lessons to accommodate second language learners. What Mrs. Clare was not prepared for was the uneasiness and fear that overwhelmed the parents of the students who were not ESL pupils. One parent in particular complained to Mrs. Clare that her child was being harassed by another student in the classroom. When Mrs. Clare inquired about the identity of the "bully," the parent did not know the name of the student who was bothering her child. However, the parent mentioned to Mrs. Clare that the student causing trouble was one of the "foreign" boys with the dark hair and real dark skin. Mrs. Clare did not expect adults to react in this manner about a classroom of typical six year old students. Questions: 1. How can Mrs. Clare prepare herself for the challenges involved in teaching culturally diverse students? 2. Is it possible to convey to parents the importance of being open minded in their outlook of the culturally diverse world? 3. How can Mrs. Clare ease the tensions of the concerned parents? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) 1. Mrs. Clare can remember that no matter the background, all students should be treated equally. I understand how teaching such a culturally diverse class could be so difficult, however, this should not affect the way she treats each of her students. They are 6 years old and each need just as much attention as the next. 2. Yes, it is possible to convey to parents the importance of being open minded in their outlook of the culturally diverse world. Some people do not understand nor accept change. Our world is changing. Everyone is not the same. It is the responsibility of the teacher to accept that change and to possible help the parents of your students to try to accept that change as well. 3. Mrs. Clare can reassure her parents that every student will be tended to in the same manner. The ESL students will not be treated any differently than the other students. I would also explain that they are in a differnt environment and trying to adjust. The teacher should be observant of her students behavior to be able to assure the parents that bullying is not acceptable in the class and that she will make sure it does not happen. |
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