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!) First off I believe Gail has more issues going on and you should consult with the counselor in her case. Next, your principal's advice seems to be more of a suggestion and not a demand. The journals allow students to communicate with you without the one on one conversation. They obviously, from your examples, feel comfortable telling you about their discomforts. This can be a great resource for your classroom and I do not believe you should get rid of them. Lastly, we look at the content. I would have to find out why Warren is so uncomfortable. Was it parts of the lessons or the whole thing? I would ask more questions. I guess it goes to show that teachers have to be careful in how they present their material. I would also look at my lessons and really see if it benefits their understanding of differences and acceptance. Am I teaching them that we have to identify ourselves by color or am I teaching them that we are all the same, despite our skin color? I hope that makes sense. I struggle with teaching differences, because at times I do not see the point. I think heritage and where people come from is interesting and could be a great way for students to learn diversity, but talking specifically about race, gender, etc can be tough. Those ideas can be twisted so easily. A student in Jane Elliott's class did just that. Once he was told that he was superior, he turned on his friends. They were the lesser of the group and he in turn was mean to them. Jane even stated that she saw nice students turn into mean ones and that was only after they were told they were different. What does that tell you about use teaching them about those differences? With all of that being said. Get Gail some help, continue the journals, ask Warren more questions, and find out if your curriculum is focusing on the most valuable ideas.