Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Basketball Team- Similar Case I coached a high school womens basketball team. Several players on the team were openly lesbians. Throughout the course of four years, more and more players "came out." I heard several rumors that one player, Chelsea, was approaching another player, Sarah, and wanting to "date" her. Sarah was not a lesbian and politely handled the matter by simply saying no. After several no's, Chelsea began punishing Sarah on the basketball court. She would not pass Sarah the ball, set picks for Sarah, and continously complain that Sarah wasn't doing her job. Since Chelsea was the leader of the team and of the lesbian group, the other lesbian players treated Sarah the same. It's not fair to Sarah to allow the other players to treat her this way, but I can't call attention to the lesbians without them thinking I'm discriminating.How do I handle this situation? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) With bullying becoming a growing issue across the nation, it's crucial that we as educators are observant and clued in to potential threats among our students. I believe the first step in handling the issues described in your post would be to speak with Chelsea privately, and discuss with her the ramifications of treating others in the way you've been noticing. This will let her know that you're looking out and aware her behavior is escalating. Next, I'd loop-in the school counselor and request that she conduct a bullying presentation to the entire team; by having this shared with the whole group, no one is singled out yet everyone is being educated. Maybe at the end of the presentation, the team can agree to sign a contract (complete with consequences) that they will adhere to the school guidelines re: bullying.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree that speaking to Chelsea along and involving a school counselor would be the best approach. A singed contract is likely to reinforce the ramifications and solve the issue. Rated On: October 14, 2014 7:54 pm Rated By: sugeLu                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: As this is a sensitive issue in today's social climate, I agree with the suggestion to invite the school counselor to speak with the team. Rated On: October 15, 2014 8:23 pm Rated By: Denise Lukacik                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree with this because it is important to highlight that this is an issue of bullying. Sexual orientation does not need to be the highlight of the conversation. This should be handled as a bullying incident. Rated On: October 17, 2014 8:18 pm Rated By: MaXuDe                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I like this solution. I agree what is taking place is considered "bullying" and this is becoming a big issue these days. Signing a team contract against bullying is a great way to ensure this does not continue no matter what the issue is. If the girls know they will be removed from the team if this happens, they are less likely to initiate or continue with the treatment. Rated On: October 18, 2014 10:38 pm Rated By: Dana Johnson                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I think it's a good idea to talk to Chelsea privately about what she's doing isn't right and to also educate the entire team so that they all know what they are doing is wrong. Rated On: February 27, 2015 5:08 pm Rated By: LeqeHe                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: talking to Chelsea privately and getting the school counselor involved is a good idea. Rated On: March 1, 2015 4:36 pm Rated By: eLuLeD                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I like this a lot. Rated On: October 3, 2016 4:46 pm Rated By: yVuRaR