Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         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!) First and foremost, I would get the counselor of your school to talk with Gail about her feelings. Next, I would continue to encourage your students to communicate their innermost feelings with someone they care about; either verbally or at least in writing. I would let them know that I was there for them if they ever wanted to talk. I would also tell them that we all have feelings that need to be shared. Middle school is a tough, socially. Students are trying to discover who they really are and where they fit in in the world. They need to know that we were not made to be alone in this world. We need one another to lean on. I believe this would create a win-win situation.