Domain 8: Global and Multicultural Perspectives
12:50 p.m.
Elaboration:
All day today two of my students have been fighting. The two students are different races and come from different family backgrounds. Generally, I see one student pushing the other one. When questioned, he always admits that he has done something. The other student is always extremely defensive and never owns up to anything. When talking with them, it is difficult to discern what to do, since it is usually one students word against the others. I have a fairly strong feeling that the defensive students is lying to me in saying he hasn't done anything to the other student.

Analysis:
It is difficult to figure out how to be fair in some of these situations since there is no clear answer. However, I have approached it as fairly is possible, making sure that one student doesn't escape when both are involved. I also have encouraged both of the boys to walk away when something happens. The first student who usually admits he has done wrong, usually does not get on others unless he is provoked. I asked him what had been said or done that was upsetting him, because I knew something had been going on. Finally, he said that the other student had been making fun of his family and his mother. I know that this student values his family a lot. He comes from a close knit family, with brothers and sisters and uncles and cousins who go through everything together. The student looked genuinely hurt. Because the other student won't admit to anything, I told this student that although I believed him, I needed to find proof. I have also been trying to make sure that I don't take what the defensive student says without another person's opinion. I am hoping that after talking to them both individually today we will have less problems next week.