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!) The dialogue journals sound like they can cause for conflict as a teacher in knowing the right approach on how to step in and confront entries like Gail's. Middle school is a difficult age for most students and having an opportunity to freely write what comes to mind could be a great exercise for them. It also can help point out red flags such as the serious thoughts of Gail. I would suggest talking to administration at your school to see if you should contact her parents and refer her to the school counselor right away. I would also speak with Warren to get his take on what may be a better approach to multicultural education in your classroom. Perhaps your principal has a valid point in focusing less on the differences. Share what Warren suggests with your principal and perhaps the two of you can come up with a compromise of how and what content is taught. I think that small groups are good for the students as it gives them a chance to interact with every student in the classroom and gives them exposure to the mix of diversities.