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  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!)
If Warren complains on your emphasis of African American culture, is it because you compare all cultures to African American culture? Or do you present it in a negative light? Maybe you should reevaluate how you present African American culture and then understand your students. Why does he get embarrassed? There is a reason that you have not discovered. Then you should definitely do what your administrator states. There may be another approach but you should consult with him first to present your ideas. The counselor should definitely be consulted on Gail and could be on other writings as well. The counselor may see more underlying issues that you may not have noticed. When doing this type of lesson and giving feedback could allow students to give you more information and give you a better understanding of their statements.