“how do you solve a problem like maria?”

“HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA?”CHRISTOPHER CAPPELLA ANDVICTORIA DELLA VALLE

SUMMARY• San Lucas Unified School District

• Why was Sanchez hired?

• Positives

• Negatives

• Does Sanchez deserve the long-term contract?

QUESTION #1What do you think of the cultural diversity program in the

San Lucas School District? Are the goals of the program

reasonable? Are good systems in place for reaching these

goals? What alternative ideas could you suggest to the

school district for improving its program?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY PROGRAM IN THE SAN LUCAS SCHOOL DISTRICT?

• Good

• Minorities need role models

ARE THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM REASONABLE?

• Unrealistic

• Good intentions

ARE GOOD SYSTEMS IN PLACE FOR REACHING THESE GOALS?

• Great

• Give benefits to teachers

• Seminars and workshops

WHAT ALTERNATIVE IDEAS COULD YOU SUGGEST TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR IMPROVING ITS PROGRAM?• Culture Day

• Balance workload

QUESTION #2What should the committee recommend to the school board

in respect to retaining Maria Sanchez? What other

recommendations should they make to the board given what

they have learned in their experiences thus far?

WHAT SHOULD THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO THE SCHOOL BOARD IN RESPECT TO RETAINING MARIA SANCHEZ? • Bring her back

• Time management

WHAT OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD THEY MAKE TO THE BOARD GIVEN WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED IN THEIR EXPERIENCES THUS FAR?• Even out benefits to teachers

• Create less tension

QUESTION #3How can you explain the different experiences of Maria and

other teachers at the high school? Is there an avenue that

could be taken to cope with these differences? How could

this situation be managed to improve for Maria, other

teachers, other students and the community?

HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES OF MARIA AND OTHER TEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL? • Maria

• First time teacher

• Extra period

• New computer

• Running the program

IS THERE AN AVENUE THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO COPE WITH THESE DIFFERENCES?

• Less benefits

• More benefits

HOW COULD THIS SITUATION BE MANAGED TO IMPROVE FOR MARIA, OTHER TEACHERS, OTHER STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY?

• Maria: partner

• Other teachers: let them help

• Other students: possible participation of non-minorities

• Community: bring more people

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE #1• Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and the

Required Managerial Tools

• Kelli A. Green, Mayra López, Allen Wysocki, and Karl Kepner

• Define diversity

• Women in workforce

• Upper leadership

Green, K., Kepner, K., Lopez, M., Wysocki, A. (2012). Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and the Required Managerial Tools. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE #2• The Top 10 Economic Facts of Diversity in the Workplace

• Sophia Kerby and Crosby Burns

• Diverse workplace

• Ten Economic Benefits of Workplace Diversity

• Point #5

Burns, Crosby and Kerby, Sophia. (2012, July 12). The Top 10 Economic Facts of Diversity in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/labor/news/2012/07/12/11900/the-top-10-economic-facts-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/

TEN ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

1. “A diverse workforce drives economic growth.”

2. “A diverse workforce can capture a greater share of the consumer market.”

3. “Recruiting from a diverse pool of candidates means a more qualified workforce.”

4. “A diverse and inclusive workforce helps businesses avoid employee turnover costs.”

5. “Diversity fosters a more creative and innovative workforce.”

6. “Businesses need to adapt to our changing nation to be competitive in the economic market.”

7. “Diversity is a key aspect of entrepreneurialism.”

8. “Diversity in the business ownership, particularly among women of color, is key to moving our economy forward.”

9. “Diversity in the workplace is necessary to create a competitive economy in a globalized world.”

10. “Diversity in the boardroom is needed to leverage a company’s full potential.”

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE #2• The Top 10 Economic Facts of Diversity in the Workplace

• Sophia Kerby and Crosby Burns

• Diverse workplace

• Ten Economic Benefits of Workplace Diversity

• Point #5

Burns, Crosby and Kerby, Sophia. (2012, July 12). The Top 10 Economic Facts of Diversity in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/labor/news/2012/07/12/11900/the-top-10-economic-facts-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/

CURRENT EVENT ARTICLE #1

• Workplace Diversity Hindered by Failure to Communicate, Study Says

• The Huffington Post Online

• Survey of 700 managers at 8 companies

• Statistics

• Biggest problem of minorities – communication

The Huffington Post Online. (2013, April 8). Workplace Diversity Hindered by Failure to Communicate, Study Says. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/workplace-diversity-hindered-by-failure-to-communicate_n_3036874.html

CURRENT EVENT ARTICLE #2• On the Job: Diversity helps workers feel special

• Anita Bruzzese

• Too many similarities in group

• Managers should reconsider

• Should Sanchez have a partner?

Bruzzese, Anita. (2012, October 7). On the Job: Diversity helps workers feel special. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/bruzzese/2012/09/27/on-the-job-mentor-competition/1422550/

CONCLUSION• Minority Program

• Extra Benefits

• Teacher resentment

• Long-term contract