Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: De-emphasize Differences. I was recently assigned to the middle school in the Warren School District. The district serves a community that had once been an all-white middle-class enclave, but has recently become more diverse in its ethnic makeup. I am very interested in multicultural education. I instituted the use of dialog journals in my adviser group, telling the students that they can write anything they want. Some journal entries cause me concern. Warren Jackson, an African American, complains that my emphasis on African American culture embarrasses him. Gail Smith, a white girl, writes that her parents object strongly to her affection for Warren Jackson and that she is considering suicide. My problems come to a head in my first meeting with the principal. The principal suggests that I decrease his use of small groups, that I abandon my dialogue journals, and that I de-emphasize the multicultural aspects of my classes. He suggests that I emphasize similarities, not differences. I don't know what to do. I do think that my methods have some value but I cannot go against my principal. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I think the principal is correct about emphasizing similarities over differences. While everyone is different and teachers should strive to celebrate cultural diversity, there is more benefit in showing the students their similarities to one another over their differences. Emphasizing differences can cause contention among different groups, but the similarities will help them. I think you should discuss the value of the dialogue journals with your principal. These are effective modes of communication and self-expression that should not be taken away from the students. As far as decreasing the multicultural aspect of education, I think you should talk to the students who feel uncomfortable about why they feel this way, and then you can modify your teaching to fit these needs. If you see successful results in the new method, inform your principal and see if he will allow you to continue with the multicultural aspects of your lessons.