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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!)
The first, and most important thing to do is report Gail's suicide attempt (start with the guidance counselor). You are obligated to report if a students intends to harm themselves or other (even though the information was written in what may be considered a confidential journal). The next step would be to talk with Warren to find out what makes him embarrassed. Change your methodology based upon his responses. Remember not to focus on one specific culture but great people from various cultures. Also, emphasize similarities as well as differences relating to your students that the things that make us different are much smaller than the things that make us similar.