Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         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!) Preparation goes far beyond just curriculum supplements and teaching styles. To prepare for a diverse class requires you to do research in their cultures and their individual backgrounds. Contact the families and students before the year starts to get to know them and so they can get to know you to establish a level of comfort and familiarity. As well as contacting your ESL students and parents you should be sure to contact your other parents making it clear the all persons in your classroom will be respected and valued. That they too should value diversity and be examples for their children to follow. She can ease the concerns of parents by saying that she will talk with her students and stress that everyone should be treated with respect.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I agree that it is important to contact parents, but I'm not sure that it is appropriate to contact them before the school year begins to discuss these issues. By introducing them to the conflict, parents will be more likely to start conflict. I'm not sure I would do this. Rated On: July 7, 2016 7:24 pm Rated By: LuLyHa