As a kid, I was both the bully and the bullied. It all depended on where I lived, which kids I was with and if my parents were around. Now, as an adult, I see the issue from both sides. I'm a teacher and the Boy's Director at a summer camp. It's my job to protect kids, to help them feel safe, to show them love and help them find a place where they can belong.
I watched this video tonight and it made me so sad. This year, I've worked as a substitute teacher in public and SDA schools, teaching everything from Kindergarten to Academy Bible to 5th grade to high school colorguard to 7th grade math. I wonder what bullying has happened in bathrooms, at lunch and in the hallways, perhaps even in my classroom just out of my hearing range.
I'm now working part-time at an alternative high school. It's rough. Really rough. Today was especially difficult. A student was very disrespectful, in my face telling me that he didn't have to sit down or do what I said I wasn't his teacher (because I'm part-time and assist other teachers). He started yelling at me. I had to raise my voice. I had to send him to the office. This was his final warning from the school - next time and he'll be headed out in handcuffs (long history...).
I look at my ragtag group of students. Some fell through the cracks because they were bad at math and then stopped coming to school. Others fell into drugs. Most had little or no parental support, no one providing a safe place after school. How many of these kids were bullied early on in elementary school? These aren't the smartest or most attractive kids. And now the majority of them are going to be lucky to avoid welfare, lucky to hold a job. It's sad. It's not too late for all of them, thankfully. (Several I predict will even be quite successful!) But we need to be very intentional about bullying amongst us. We'll never fully eradicate the problem, but hopefully we can save a few kids from the emotional trauma , save them from even thinking such pain could exist. One story at a time.
At least that's why I'll go back to work tomorrow...
