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  Case: Smelly Kid
I guess I am still considered a novice teacher because I have been teaching for four years only. I am an elementary school teacher who teaches in a mostly White suburban setting. Couple of weeks ago a new student joined my classroom. He and his parents recently moved from Eastern Europe. His father works at the local university as a music professor. I am not sure what his mother does. He is a wonderful child. Although he speaks little English, he tries to participate in class activities and to make friends with others in the classroom. Couple days after he arrived, I noticed a strange smell around him. I was sure that it was body odor. The other students in the classroom started noticing it too. They started making fun of him. I learned in my multicultural classes when I was at the university that not all cultures promote taking showers everyday, and that body odor is not considered a problem everywhere in the world. Now I have a big dilemma. If I tell my student about it, I might embarrass him. If I sent a note to his parents, I may appear disrespectful toward their culture. But the way he is treated in the classroom by the other students is becoming a real problem. What should I do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I have a similar situation I am am facing in my own classroom right now. I would not attempt to speak directly with the student about it. If I witness another student making fun of that student about it I would pull them aside and have a stern talk with them about the school' zero tolerance for bullying policy, and if the issue persisted refer them to an administrator. To address the student who has the body odor smell I would contact the assigned counselor. They are trained to approach parents and students about these issues. they are also trained to detect if the body odor is connected with any abuse or neglect on part of the parents. That is what I did with the student in my class, who has very strong body odor that is connected with poor hygiene. Since this student was female I did not feel it was appropriate for a male teacher to broach the subject with her or her parents.
 
     
     
  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: Great post!!!
Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:44 am
Rated By: RaMevy
 
     
     
  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: It's a very touchy topic but I'd have a counselor speak to the student.
Rated On: October 21, 2019 12:07 am
Rated By: ygyXeT