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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!)
I would start by immediately working to change the behavior of his classmates by talking about bullying as well as having a discussion about different cultures and that just because someone's culture is different from yours does not mean it is wrong. I would talk to them about accepting and understanding other cultures.

I would then have a conference with the parents to let them know what is going on. My intent would be primarily to inform them about what has been going one and what I have done to try to get other students to be more understanding and compassionate. I would not ask them to change their ways but would inform them so that they can make the decision as a family about what to do (change their hygiene habits or maintain their current cultural habits). Throughout this I would keep in mind that the issue might not be cultural but instead could be hormonal or some other such issue.

I would also talk with the school counselor to get her input. This is something that should be addressed schoolwide because he will interact with students from other classrooms on the playground, cafeteria, etc.
 
     
     
  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 ideas
Rated On: October 16, 2014 6:12 pm
Rated By: Angela Avery
 
     
     
  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 how I would personally handle this situation.
Rated On: October 18, 2014 9:59 pm
Rated By: puQuZu
 
     
     
  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 a lesson on health would be a great idea to implement in a lesson!
Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:36 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 4:39 am
Rated By: Krystalynn Gulczewski
 
     
     
  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: Couldn't have said it better myself!
Rated On: February 25, 2018 6:43 am
Rated By: epuMat
 
     
     
  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 idea to address the students with this problem, also. Bullying is not acceptable.
Rated On: October 14, 2018 7:21 pm
Rated By: yJuhuv
 
     
     
  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: yes, I'd just inform the parent. Then if they ask for suggestions I'd give them some.
Rated On: October 21, 2019 12:11 am
Rated By: ygyXeT
 
     
     
  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 your solution about working to change the behavior of his peers within his classroom is great because it will help take the focus off of the student from another culture. Showing them that acceptance is the way rather than mockery is by far one of the best ways to deal with the situation!
Rated On: October 31, 2021 8:43 pm
Rated By: dedyqa
 
     
     
  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: First step, stop the bullying.
Second step, speak with parents.
Third step speak with other staff.
Simple, easy, and effective.
Rated On: November 10, 2022 10:35 pm
Rated By: nemuLy