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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 the dialogue journals are a good idea but I would give them a specific topic to write about in order to focus their writing. I think students need and like the idea of being able to express their opinions through writing, especially if it is an assignment that only you will read. I agree with the other responses that if the focus on African American culture is bothering someone, you need to make sure and focus on other cultures as well whether they are in your classroom or not. Students need to be introduced to other cultures even if they don't have any direct contact with them. I would come up with some changes to my lessons and present them to the principal to show that you have solutions to these issues. As far as a student threatening suicide, she should definitely be referred to the school counselor and could possibly attend group meetings with that person in order to talk out her problems. |
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