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!) Assuming the principal has given you the freedom to determine your own course of action, I would continue to use the journals. It sounds like they are a valuable tool for student insight. As for the small groups and multicutural education, I would continue with both, but adapt them a little. For small groups, rather than using the same students in each group, mix up participants. This gives students the opportunity to work briefly with all peers. I agree with you that multicultural education is important, however, work to weave this content into your state standards rather than teach as a separate unit. For Warren, I would pull him aside and ask him to clarify is journal entry for you. Unfortunately, Gail's romantic interests are out of your realm of responsibility or appropriate interaction, therefore I suggest you offer her counselor support.