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  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!)
This is an extremely difficult situation for a teacher to be in. I would speak with the counselor's office and ask them to attend a conference with the parents. I would ask the parents to attend the conference so that you can discuss the issue face to face with them. This way the counselor and you can speak with them about the issue in as positive a manner as possible. I would make sure that the parents understand that the other students are noticing the smell, and you don't want this to become a bullying issue. I think that addressing the issue this way would help the parents understand that you have the child's best interest at heart, and that you are not trying to offend them in any way.
 
     
     
  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 that asking the counselor to sit in on a conference is a great idea. They are probably more familiar with these types of situations and how to handle them. I believe that if the situation is approached in a professional manner, the parents will understand and know that both the teacher and school only want what is best for the child.
Rated On: June 4, 2014 12:43 am
Rated By: Kimberly Rahn
 
     
     
  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: Great post!!!
Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:40 am
Rated By: RaMevy
 
     
     
  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 you present some great ideas
Rated On: October 18, 2015 4:40 am
Rated By: Krystalynn Gulczewski
 
     
     
  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 don't think the counselors need to be involved unless there is a big problem with the parents.
Rated On: February 22, 2019 12:57 am
Rated By: ePegej
 
     
     
  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: VERY tough situation.
I do not know what I'd do.
Rated On: October 21, 2019 12:03 am
Rated By: ygyXeT