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  Case: Black Intern in A Rural School
I am one of few African American students in my teacher education program. My last semester in the elementary education program is designated for a semester-long internship in a local school. I have been very excited about the internship. The schools around us are rural schools with majority White student populations. My first day at my assigned school was quite interesting. When I arrived at school, I easily noticed that almost all the students were White. My supervising teacher introduced me to other teachers in the school all of whom were White. I felt really out of place. Although they did not say or do anything wrong, I felt like they were looking at me in a strange way. At the end of the school day as I was driving out of the parking lot, parents were driving into the school to pick up their children. I saw a number of trucks that had racial slurs or confederate flags in their back bumpers. My discomfort turned into fear. How am I going to complete this internship? What should I do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
This could be a great opportunity for you to represent African Americans in a positive way. Chances are, these students have had little exposure to African Americans. While you may have to be particularly careful in your actions at the beginning, you should be able to gain the respect of the principal and other faculty quickly. If the students find you friendly and respectful to them, they should have no reason to complain to their parents. I wouldn't worry about the bumper stickers and simply try to be voice of change and reason for those students.
 
     
     
  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: Good suggestion.
Rated On: January 29, 2013 8:19 am
Rated By: Yasar Bodur
 
     
     
  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: This is a great way to interact with students that may never have interacted with a black person before.
Rated On: March 5, 2017 9:38 pm
Rated By: uheVaX
 
     
     
  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: I agree, be safe and smart about your situation.
Rated On: October 16, 2017 12:01 am
Rated By: hepasy
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: October 9, 2018 1:42 am
Rated By: pagyDa
 
     
     
  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: I agree with this solution.
Rated On: October 18, 2020 7:59 pm
Rated By: Jennifer Overbey