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 think that the dialogue journals are a good idea and they allow for the students to express their thoughts and feelings. Any time a teacher gives an opportunity like this there is the possibility that concerns will arise. It is important that if a concern arises to alert the people in charge, mainly the counselor. They will be able to help the students process their thoughts and feelings in healthy way. I think that for the way you are teaching that you should emphasize differences AND similarities. By doing this you will allow the students to see what is more individualistic about their cultures while also seeing commonalities. It is just important to make sure to strive for balance between differences and similarities in your teaching.