Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Case Study: The teacher treats me differently As a 7th grade middle school teacher, Ms. Huff has clearly set boundaries with her students and is often viewed as strict but fair. One afternoon, a student she had the prior year approaches her and tells her she is unhappy in the eighth grade, especially in her language arts class, which the student had excelled in the prior year. "The teacher treats me differently than she does the rest of the students." When asked to expand on the comment, the student responded that she was the only African American student in the class, and she didn't feel like she was being called on with the same frequency as her classmates. She further commented that her submission of the lyrics of one of her songs as an independent poetry assignment had been graded harshly because of the "slang" that had been included in the verses. Ms. Huff knows the teacher in question, but is unsure if she should speak to her or exactly what she should say to the student. She is keenly aware of her own bias and is working on recognizing it in her interactions with her students and her colleagues. She mentions the interaction to the teacher in question who responds that the student "always wants to play the race card" and that the teacher is "tired of having to kowtow to African American students who don't do as well as the white kids." Ms. Huff is quite taken aback at the blatant racism, but is unsure what she should do next. What is her responsibility to the student and to her colleague? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Ms. Huff has a responsibility to the student to act fairly and honestly in all situations. As she has learned that the teacher is in fact acting in a racially driven manner, she should continue to try to address this with the teacher and explain why this is unfair to her BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students. Then, the teacher should check back in with the student in question after a few days to see if anything has changed. If anything has not changed, the teacher should report this to administration and continue to support the student by offering resources and words of validity and encouragement.                 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: It seems to me like Ms. Huff is confrontational, so I would try to avoid the direct conversation with her, explaining why she is being unfair, and ensure someone else is present (preferably someone from the administration). Other than that, I think this would be the best means of addressing the situation. Rated On: October 6, 2020 3:00 pm Rated By: yHuvaz                 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 Ms. huff needs to explain why this is unfair, and get the administration involved if there is no improvement. Rated On: October 12, 2020 3:08 pm Rated By: aVehaj                 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 becuase it gives the teacher a chance to check theirself. However, if the teacher doesn't change than admin needs to be aware of this. Rated On: October 16, 2020 12:10 am Rated By: GebyXu                 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 this is a good suggestion. It's good to check in with the student after talking with her teacher to be sure actual change has occurred. Rated On: February 27, 2021 8:38 pm Rated By: Torii Podmokly                 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 solution. Supporting the student is very important too. Rated On: March 5, 2021 11:01 pm Rated By: juRuqa                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes 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 Yes Comments: The teacher should go straight to administration. Racism is grounds for dismissal. Rated On: March 7, 2021 3:48 pm Rated By: WyJyGa                 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: Speaking to the teacher personally first, and then doing a follow up can be wise. More than likely, the teacher will needed to be reported and handled by admin. Rated On: March 8, 2021 3:50 am Rated By: Kessid Vonderhaar                 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 trying to continue to address this situation to the teacher if it continues. I would then follow up with administration if this continues to be a problem. Rated On: April 1, 2022 12:35 am Rated By: eSysyv                 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 Rated On: October 17, 2022 2:14 am Rated By: Jennifer Overbey