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!) In the classroom it is important to teach about the similarities and differences of other cultures. The problem is that now you have two students who are bothered by the lessons. Perhaps the methods you are teaching do have value but they are creating huge barriers in the classroom. I have to agree with the principal to focus on similarities of cultures for a while until all the students feel comfortable and understand that even if you are a different culture you are still very similar. As for Gail Smith I start by talking with the guidance counselor about her suggestion of suicide. Then I would talk with the parents of Gail, so they understand how upset Gail is about the whole situation. I would ask them what they think I can do to help Gail. When a student suggests suicide as a solution to their problems we have to take it very seriously. As for the journals, I would continue to allow students to write their own thoughts and feelings. The journals allowed you to see where you need to change your teaching strategies to help the students understand about multicultural. Do not take that out of your lesson. Elizabeth Comella