Bullying 101

I am a teacher and although managing a classroom can be challenging, I absolutely love my job. At the beginning of every school year, we attend a social-emotional training that emphasizes ways to promote positive student interactions with one another. However, with the combination of behavioral issues and emphasis on standardized testing, having the time to actually focus on the true social and emotional needs of all of our children feels almost impossible once the school year begins.

One of the ‘hot button’ issues that has emerged over the years within schools is bullying. Considering the circumstances and political climate we are living in; how can I teach my students to be better human beings who do not constantly attack one another? What are the ways to encourage students to make the world a better place so that we can all breathe a little easier?

While gearing up for an uncertain school year ahead, my first task was to complete an online Bully Intervention Training. The five categories used to define examples of ‘bullying’ were race/ethnic background, religion/religious affiliation, special need/disability, physical appearance, and sexual orientation/identity.

For my own sanity, I’m politically independent and try to separate teaching from politics. In this instance though, I couldn’t help but notice that every category representing those vulnerable to bullying has some sort of history involving our current President:

Race/Ethnic Background

Trump’s retweet of a supporter yelling ‘White Power’

Religion/Religious Affiliation

Trump’s retweet targeting Muslims, incorrectly identifying perpetrator

Special Need/Disability

Trump mocking a reporter with arthrogryposis

Physical Appearance

Trump’s comments regarding Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina

Sexual Orientation/Identity

Trump’s inaccurate reasoning behind Transgender Military Ban

All of these examples certainly speak for themselves.

Our President claims, “Ours was not a campaign but rather an incredible and great movement…compromised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds, and beliefs.” Does retweeting ‘white power’ represent all races? Is spreading false narratives about Muslims part of a ‘great movement’? Do you think mocking a man with joint contracture in his arm and hand or a woman for how she looks is ‘incredible’? Should every person brave enough to risk their lives and participate in our military be included?

Is this who we are as Americans? Is this the man who should truly represent the core ideals of our great nation's Founding Fathers to the entire world?

While teaching Social Studies, ‘we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’ is indeed inclusive of not only white males like myself, but also African-Americans, Native-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders; Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists; those with disabilities such as arthrogryposis, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis (among many others); females and those of all different types of physical appearances; along with those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. We all deserve a fair chance at the pursuit of the American Dream just as much as anyone else does.

How are we, as adults, demonstrating our foundational values to future leaders of America?

In the words of Abraham Lincoln:

I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn...until there should no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal.

President Lincoln also once stated, “Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”

What type of person will you be standing with? Is there a true leader in the oval office representing our prestigious country or is he just a bully?

For those who are fed up with our nation’s leadership at the highest level, do your part to stand up to bullying and help set us all on a better path.

Let your vote speak to help tell Donald Trump once and for all...

“You’re fired!”