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!) The first thing I would do is to talk with my class about cultural diversity and the similarities between different cultures. In this case, the teacher may be focusing too much on the differences between cultures. This could be the reason why Warren is feeling uncomfortable in the classroom. Warren is feeling the stress of being in a culturally different school. He may feel like you are only doing this activity because he transfered into your class. As far as the journals go, I would continue to use the journals to help the students express themselves. It may have saved this young girl's life. You must also talk with the administration to find ways of changing the curriculum to incorporate cultural diversity and journal activities while also ensuring that all students are comfortable inside your classroom.