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 think the biggest issue here is the fact that students in this elementary classroom are picking on and making fun of another student. To me, this would be the biggest red flag. I think the teacher should address the students who are picking on the student immediately in a small group setting. It is crucial that they are reminded about how to appropriately interact and communicate with their peers, and if changes are not noticed immediately disciplinary action should be taken. It is never okay for students to pick on another student. I think it would also be wise for the teacher to engage her whole class in activities that promote social and cultural acceptance.