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  Case: Cannot Cooperate
Aisha is known as a responsible and smart student. I have known her for the last two years, but this year is the first time she is taking one of my classes. She is in my 10th grade US History class. Recently, I started using small group projects in my class. I simply want my students to learn to cooperate, exchange ideas, and produce the project together. Although Aisha is willing to take part in these small group projects, she does not want to be in groups with male students because of her religious beliefs. When she told me about this, I told her that she was in the United States and that she had to work with whoever she is in a group with. In the first group project, Aisha was in a group with three males and one female students. She simply did not participate in any of the group activities. I wonder if should reconsider my original position on this issue and accommodate Aisha by having her work only with girls. Would I be doing her a disservice? What should I do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
As a teacher, this would be a difficult position to be in. I understand that this is her religious beliefs; however, in our society and world today, it is a fact that people are going to have to work with and deal with issues with others than just their own gender. In order to be successful in the world, she will have to learn to work with males on a professional level at some point. I think the teacher should respect her wishes at times, but other times she will have to adapt to the situation and respect the teacher and the class as well.
 
     
     
  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 with you. The teacher should try to teach Aisha how to work with males so she can be successful later on in life. There needs to be a balance between respecting Aisha's wishes and teaching her this lesson.
Rated On: October 13, 2014 5:35 pm
Rated By: Megan Lee