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  Case: Black Intern in A Rural School
I am one of few African American students in my teacher education program. My last semester in the elementary education program is designated for a semester-long internship in a local school. I have been very excited about the internship. The schools around us are rural schools with majority White student populations. My first day at my assigned school was quite interesting. When I arrived at school, I easily noticed that almost all the students were White. My supervising teacher introduced me to other teachers in the school all of whom were White. I felt really out of place. Although they did not say or do anything wrong, I felt like they were looking at me in a strange way. At the end of the school day as I was driving out of the parking lot, parents were driving into the school to pick up their children. I saw a number of trucks that had racial slurs or confederate flags in their back bumpers. My discomfort turned into fear. How am I going to complete this internship? What should I do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I believe this could be an opportunity for you to show this community that just because your skin is a different color, that does not make you any less intelligent, successful, or professional. You can show the students through your lessons that you can be a great teacher. The faculty will see your professionalism and how you handle yourself in awkward situations and respect you for it (hopefully). The parents will see that you respect their children and are working towards bettering their education. However, being the bigger person does not always work out for the best but I think running away from the situation may cause regret in the future. Also, being a student teacher can be hard anyway no matter what race or gender because you don't really have a relationship established with the school. Creating these relationships with the students, parents, and faculty can help your experience become an enjoyable one instead of one you fear or dread coming to everyday.
 
     
     
  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: A nice and positive approach to the issue described.
Rated On: January 29, 2013 8:18 am
Rated By: Yasar Bodur
 
     
     
  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: This is a very encouraging and uplifting message that I think is very helpful. You can do it!
Rated On: March 3, 2015 12:12 am
Rated By: eWeHaz
 
     
     
  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 like that this solution allows you to be the representative in this community. It might also be a good idea to share some concerns with administration.
Rated On: March 5, 2017 9:36 pm
Rated By: uheVaX
 
     
     
  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: good solution
Rated On: October 9, 2017 1:19 am
Rated By: uhuQyM
 
     
     
  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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this
Rated On: February 26, 2018 12:27 am
Rated By: DuTepy
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: October 9, 2018 1:42 am
Rated By: pagyDa
 
     
     
  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
Rated On: October 27, 2018 7:43 pm
Rated By: Carla Crumb
 
     
     
  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 this solution.
Rated On: October 18, 2020 7:58 pm
Rated By: Jennifer Overbey
 
     
     
  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 this solution, this is a hard scenario to deal with but it's important to bring attention to yourself and your identity.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 3:43 pm
Rated By: Pearl Reberkenny
 
     
     
  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 think this is a good solution to power through and rise above, prove your worth however, I dont know what it is like to feel this kind of fear which makes me think maybe he should ask to be replaced after the racial slurs and bumper stickers are noticed.
Rated On: November 1, 2021 12:20 am
Rated By: yhedyZ