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Case: How Should the Principal React? The principal of Sagemont Junior High School was very concerned about a teacher on his staff. In the midst of major changes in the student population throughout the last few years, this rebellious educator was not willing to meet the new challenges the school encountered. Many new housing projects had been built in the neighborhoods surrounding the school. As a result, culturally different students were enrolling in Sagemont Junior High. Many of the students did not speak English. Furthermore, most of the new families moving in were living together with relatives in the housing projects. In the newcomer's culture, it was acceptable for many family members to live together in a small dwelling in order to succeed in their new environment. However, the veteran teacher was determined to force the new ESL (English as a Second Language) students to change and conform to the way of life already established in the community. This particular teacher informed the principal that she was not going to alter her lesson plans for the students who seemed to be taking over and changing Sagemont Junior High School. Questions: 1. How should the principal react to the experienced teacher's point of view concerning the changes in the school's population? 2. Does the rebellious teacher have a valid complaint? 3. Should the Junior High School staff accommodate these students who are bringing diversity to the local area? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) The principal should not look the other way. This situation is unacceptable. The principal should address this problem during a general review time. The teacher's strengths should be commended and their weaknesses (including insensitivity towards other cultures) should be discussed. Specific ways that the teacher can correct the diversity insensitivity should be given in writing and a date for changes to have been implemented should be set. Workshops in the area on cultural diversity should be made an option for the teacher. If the teacher is unwilling to grow professionally to be more understanding of other cultures, she should be let go. The staff at the Junior High School should make it their goal to educate all students, not just students who are culturally homogeneous. Cultural diversity is an asset, not a problem. |
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