Terry Phebus

PSC-220

March 26, 2022

Case Study Five - Two-Moms

The case study Two-Moms does not have a simple answer. Ms. Ribiero is a second grade teacher

faced with a unique situation. Her student Denise has two moms. I feel Ms. Ribiero is trying her best in

the scenario. These cases studies are hard. I feel if you do not know what standards or rules are set by the

school system she works for you can not really solve the case. I personally feel she should have not put

the book in the classroom in the first place. While I understand she was trying to make Denise feel

comfortable, I feel she created a bigger problem. I think a better place for the book if it was to be

introduced would have been the school library or guidance office. Once the book was chosen and placed

in the classroom and the other students were pointing out that the book being read was “weird”, Ms.

Ribiero told the students to focus on their own books, and go back to reading. At this moment I feel this

was the best option. Another option she may have chosen was to read the book to the class then and start a

discussion on families and diversity. I do not think this would have been a better option. I feel she chose

the best option at the time.

Ms. Ribiero chose to read the book to the class the following day. I feel if she was going to do this

she should have asked her superior for permission first and then possibly family permissions as well. I do

not think this was the best choice though. I understand she was trying to teach about diversity and

different families but I think this would be better in a guidance guided lesson. I feel like teachers have so

much on their plate already that to go into something of this nature would be better saved for someone

with training in the area.

 I feel teachers and administrators have a responsibility to prevent bullying to the best of their

abilities. I feel a lesson on diversity, discrimination, and families cloud be included in school, but in a

particular way. To attend sex education in elementary school parents must sign a permission slip to give

permission for their child to attend. I feel if a school system were to include a class or lesson on a subject

that is controversial or simply has different views or opinions, parent permission should be given,

especially in elementary school.

Ms. Ribiero, I feel, was doing what she thought was best, but in my opinion she opened a can of

worms. She created a problem that could have been prevented. I feel she should have sought the guidance

of her supervisor before making a decision on her own.