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 do not think you should discontinue the use of the dialogue journals. The students are obviously confiding in them. It is a great communication tool and a way into the mind of the student. The first thing I would do is contact the counselor and parents of Gail Smith. Thoughts of suicide are something that should be taken seriously, and that should be the concern first and foremost. As far as teaching, I think that rather than soloing out one particular ethnic group, I would use that opportunity to speak about diverse groups of people (ex. not just African American people). Another example would be to give students a survey and see what their likes/dislikes are, what they would like to learn about and then go from there.                 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 agree that dialogue journals are a great tool for teachers to use to understand what students are thinking. I also believe the young lady needs some counseling intervention. I think we should always strive to celebrate the cultures of all students within our classroom. Rated On: June 12, 2014 6:01 pm Rated By: wendy burns                 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 like the approach of having the journals as well, specially in matter of that you really want to know what students are thinking and why it is important or not the content of the class. Definitely parents and psychologist should be informed about the girl. Rated On: October 12, 2019 3:47 am Rated By: tabape