Westhills, a suburban town of 20,000 is an hour commute to New York City. The town prides itself on the harmony of its diverse, community. At Westhills High School, less than 15% of the population is on free or reduced lunch; 87 % of graduates go on to two or four year colleges, and blue and white collar families join in their support of the schools, its broad offerings of programs, athletics and services. The ethnic breakdown of the student population is: 50% white, 25% African-American, 13% Latino and 12% Asian. Much of the life of the community centers around the school, and the members of its Board of Education are representative of the community.

Manny Baumgold, a highly respected English teacher, has been at Westhills for 28 years. He is also a college counselor and president of the teacher’s association. He is noted not only for excellence in the teaching of his subject, but for his advocacy and mentoring of students through the college application process. He has built up a wonderful rapport with many college admissions offices throughout the northeast, and has a great track record of getting students into their “first choice” schools, very often the Ivies. He is considered an outstanding union leader, who usually runs for re-election unchallenged. Manny is a close friend and supporter of the Principal, Dr. Herman Feinstein. They have been colleagues for many years. Manny is a notorious prankster, and frequently has been accused by some faculty, of too many sexist and ethnic jokes made at the expense of both women students and colleagues. He claims this humor is harmless, and everyone knows he is only kidding, and that his female colleagues are too sensitive. He states that he is color blind, supported the hiring of more women and minority faculty, and will champion any teacher, regardless of sex or ethnicity in any just cause or issue. Besides, he says, everyone knows he means no harm and laughter is important in the teaching business.

Several women teachers have informally spoken to the principal about his remarks or jokes, and on two occasions parents have called to register concerns about comments made to their daughters, or alleged sexist ideas that have been reported to them by their children based on class comments and discussions. On dealing with each complaint, the Principal assured the parties concerned that he was aware of the situation and would talk to Mr. Baumgold. The Principal followed up on these complaints, spoke to the parties involved and no complaint ever went past the phone call or an informal conversation. Nothing was on file concerning these matters.

Donna Lin is one of Westhills’ stars. Her 3.9 GPA, 1580 college boards, four AP classes, plus her outstanding talents as a cellist, make her a serious contender for the most selective colleges. She is fifth in her class, small, thin, lovely and exceedingly quiet and reserved. Her family and she hope she can be admitted to Harvard where she can study to become a doctor. Her parents speak mostly Chinese at home, and seldom in Donna’s four years have they been to the school. It is an intimidating place for them, where they feel particularly uneasy, especially Mrs. Lin, who even after many years here, speaks and understands little English. Donna is part of the 15% of the reduced lunch population.

Mr. Baumgold, in addition to being Donna’s AP English teacher, is also her college advisor, and will be responsible for writing her letter of recommendation from the school. In the fall of her senior year, she presents her college essays to Mr. Baumgold for review and requests an appointment to talk about her applications. In their meeting in his office, Donna speaks about how stressful the application process is and of her hopes of going to Harvard. Mr. Baumgold listens and patiently explains that even though her high school record is outstanding, she is ranked fifth in the class, and three students who are ranked ahead of her are applying to Harvard. It would be unlikely that more than one or at most two students from one high school would be accepted. He suggests, that she put her time and energy looking into the State schools, where she is bound to get a full scholarship. You can get an equally excellent education in these schools, and save yourself the stress and your parents the application fee of applying to Harvard, he explains. He suggests that she may think differently in a few years and want to marry and raise a family; maybe even marry a doctor and help in his career. He asks if she is aware of the rigors of medical school, the pressure, the cut-throat competition, and the kind of personality it takes to be a doctor. He again mentions that she would be an excellent candidate for the top state school, would not have to burden her parents, and would not be taking away the opportunity for another student from this school to go to Harvard.

Donna cannot hold back the tears that are welling up in her eyes. Ashamed and embarrassed, she looks down, thanks Mr. Baumgold for his time and kind advice, gathers her backpack and leaves the office. Overcome with feelings of exclusion, she heads for the bathroom, where she bursts into tears, confused, angry and questioning the validity of her one great dream and goal. As she hears the bell, she tries to compose herself, washes her face and heads for her next class, Social Studies with Nan Bates. Ms. Bates, her third year in the school, teachers American History and an elective course on Gender Studies. She has also started a Women’s Leadership Club of which Donna is a member and officer. At the end of class, Ms. Bates, noticing how upset Donna is, asks to speak to her. When Ms. Bates hears Donna’s story she is livid, and advises Donna to believe in herself and follow her dreams. She advises her to speak to her parents. Donna asks Ms. Bates not to reveal her story to anyone in school. She is afraid of personal repercussions in terms of not only her letters of recommendation, but also her grade in English. Besides, Donna is uncomfortable with her right to challenge or question a teacher’s judgment.

Ms. Bates feels enormous conflict, and without naming the student, asks her Department Head, Mrs. Williams, for advice. Mrs. Williams has heard such stories before, and remarks that it is the same old boys’ network that always existed and favors mentoring white male students, never females or students of color. Both women agree, that female students, especially females of color, are never encouraged to compete, and more often it is implied that they move over and give the guys a better chance. Isn’t that the way it has always been? Instead of discouraging students like Donna, we should be supporting her right to go to any school she wants to.  She urges Bates to have the student’s parents call the Principal and come in for a conference. Ms. Bates again meets with Donna and advises her to explain the situation to her parents and have a meeting with the principal. She offers to attend the meeting if Donna wishes, and Donna agrees to set up the meeting and have Ms. Bates present.  After the meeting takes place, Principal Feinstein calls Manny into his office, and repeats to him what he has heard.

Manny is in shock and explains that he felt that Donna was so pressured about Harvard, that she was ready to break, and he was trying to give her some good fatherly advice. He went on about how he noticed how easily upset she became, how her essay revealed a fragile personality for whom competition at this level was deadly. He mentioned her references to the sacrifices her parents had made for her cello lessons, her guilt about how hard they worked and their financial hardships. He blamed the parents for being too name and status conscious at the expense of their daughter’s welfare. Wasn’t it the responsibility of the school to guide students properly based on the students’ needs and the judgment of the experienced professionals? Hadn’t they seen similar cases like this before? Donna, continued Baumgold, had talked about wanting to work part-time to earn expense money, but how she was afraid her marks might suffer if she did.  He added, the last thing Harvard was interested in was another female Asian cellist medical student. He was doing everyone a favor, by discouraging her.

Feinstein thanked Manny for his explanation and reminder, and said he would get back to him. He wondered whether his friend and star guidance counselor was acting out of wisdom, experience or bias; of what was truly in the best interests of Donna. He wondered whether Donna could get into Harvard and if that was the best place for her.  He wondered what a principal should do.

1. What issues have been implied about Donna and Manny?
2. What steps should Principal Feinstein take to resolve this matter?
3. Can Principal Feinstein chose to ignore this situation, and act as if nothing happened? Why or why not?
4. How might this situation affect the school climate?