Question

Bayshore Child Development Center: A Case Study

Tanya R. Li has been promoted to director of the Bayshore Child Development Center. The children serviced by the center are racially and ethnically diverse and from low-income families. The white teachers are in the minority and feel isolated. The teachers of color feel that the white teachers do not understand the children. In addition, James, a veteran teacher, has been discovered to have had a criminal record prior to employment at the center. The state that funds the nonprofit center does not allow anyone with a criminal record to work in direct contact with children, but he was employed prior to the law going into effect.

Tanya has identified three problems: (1) How can she make the teachers gain better understanding of each other’s cultures? (2) How can she help the teachers gain better understanding of the children’s culture? (3) How does she deal with James, whose performance has been stellar since he joined the center 15 years ago? She also understands the shortage of preschool teachers in her area and is interested in creating a more satisfying work environment.

1. How would you advise Tanya to prioritize the problems that need to be addressed? Explain
2. What do you believe is at the root of the problem? Explain
3. How would you address the problems that make up the situation? Explain
4. What methods would you find most useful in trying to deal with the conflict?Explain

Answer 1

1. Firstly, Tanya must focus on improving the team culture in the organizaion. She has to ensure all the teachers understand each other and work towards a common objective. This would automatically help them understand students better as they would become now open to diversity and creativity.

Parallelly, she must inform the authority, i.e. government of having recruited James before the described law came into effect. This must be supported with the fact demonstrating James' outstanding work with the kids and he has been extremely effective in his teaching skills .

2. The root problem for the conflicts among teachers is lack of team work. They are not focused on the common goal, i.e. teaching. Rather are self-occupied with pre-construed thoughts and feelings regarding racial discrimination.

3. Initiate team-building activities among teachers. You could use trainings to bring them closer and understand each others better. Alternately, introduce certain team-building activities and social gatherings and competitions which would enrich the culture of the organization.

4. Though discussions, team-building activities, inspiring teachers towards focusing on achieving organizational goal, rather than focussing on individual ideas and opinions about others. Welcome diversity and demonstrate the importance of diversity at workplace.