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!) That does sound like a dilemma. I think the first step would be to do as much research as you can on the topic. After that I would send a friendly letter to the parents asking to have a conference. If English is not the language they speak try to have a translator with you for the meeting. During the conference I would explain the situation as it is. You can say that you do not mind and would not bring it up if the other students were not. However the other students are starting to make fun of the student. You can tell them that you want their child to feel confident and comfortable in the classroom. Then I would ask the parents what they would prefer. Would they like for you to talk to the other students? Or would they like to encourage their child to shower and wear deodorant. During this meeting try to sound non judgmental and sincere. Show the parents that you care for their child.