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!) I would begin by addressing the use of dialogue journals. I would explain to the principal that the journals are an important way for you to communicate with your students and also explain that some students feel more comfortable communicating in their journals than they do verbally. I would also involve the counselor in Gail's case, this is not something you should try to handle on your own. But it will take some tact so that Gail does not feel betrayed. In regards to the multicultural aspect of the class, I would try to come to a compromise with the principal. You could discuss ways that you could discuss similarities while also recognizing and respecting differences among and within cultures. Since you feel that your methods are valuable I would try to compile some "evidence" that shows your methods have made a positive impact on student learning in the classroom. Maybe you have some assignments or classroom discussions that point to the emphasis on cultural awareness as being an engaging and effective method.