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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!)
The first thing I would do is make sure the student understands that it is not okay for other students to pick on him. I'd explain to him why other kids may be treating him wrong. Then I'd provide him with some deodorant and a washcloth and access to a private bathroom (perhaps one reserved for teachers or located in the gym or special needs classroom.) If he chooses to he would be able to take care of his hygiene needs and perhaps keep him from continued disrespect from his peers.
 
     
     
  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 Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: I don't think it is the teachers place to give the student the items to change. That is something that needs to go through the parents.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 5:03 pm
Rated By: Sanubu
 
     
     
  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 No
Comments: If a child is being bullied the parents need to know immediately, regardless of the situation.
Rated On: October 21, 2014 1:23 am
Rated By: yVuLyR
 
     
     
  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: This is a good solution, explaining to him that it is not right to be picked on and providing him with an immediate solution is the best way to go about it so that the embarrassment can be minimal and the other students can quickly move on to other things and forget about him.
Rated On: October 25, 2015 5:06 pm
Rated By: yWasyD