Stand Up for Students was an article featured in the November/December, 2016 issue of the California Educator. The article was asking teachers to make a pledge to make schools a safe environment for all students. On my campus, I am known for that!!!
Imagine a life of no sweets, limited to no snacks, low carbs, and scarce fats: all because you are restricted to 900 hundred calories a day. Imagine feeling hungry all of the time, never seeming to experience the joy of being satiated. Imagine way too easy weight gain, and even harder weight loss. That is what children and adults who are diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome face every single day of their lives. Now, add to that, bullying for their unique size, because most children and adults with Prader-Willi are extremely overweight. That is what happened to one of my students, K.
Walking to the cafeteria, K’s responsibility was to hold the basket all the way there. Because I am working on independence, and he does better when I am not right there, I always hang back to see if K can lead me to the cafeteria as well as hold onto the basket. For that reason, K was a few steps in front of me. He was doing great, when we happened upon a group of sixth graders, led by their teacher, who were on their way back to their classroom from the school library. Books in hand, giggles, quiet voices, and prancing around, each student passed K with idle curiosity and an occasional “hi” from those who knew me and knew K. With each hi, K smiled, giggled and high fived them. At the end of the line were three boys who passed K with snickering, and something said. What caught my attention wasn’t what the three boys said to K, it was K’s expression on his face as he stopped and turned to look at them as they walked away.
Immediately, I stopped the boys and walked them the few steps back to K. I asked them what they said to hurt my student’s feelings. “We didn’t say anything,” was their response. “Yes, you did, and we are not leaving this spot until you tell me the truth.” As I was speaking with the three boys, their teacher came back to where we were at to find out what was going on. I was thankful that she supported my endeavor to find the truth. And, yes, the truth was found. I finished with a quick lesson and an apology made to my student by each boy. One of the boys had to apologize three times before his apology was sincere enough for me! You see, K was not going to be teased, disrespected, made fun of, or bullied on my watch!!!!!
We all know that every student deserves a safe, welcoming, affirming learning environment. But, we all also know that there has been an increase in hate speech, hostile acts directed at students in schools, and bullying. As educators, we are on the front lines of dealing with bullying and harassment. It is our responsibility to reassure our students that school is still a safe place for learning. It is our responsibility to step in when we see something wrong, no matter how small we might think that wrong is. Some would say (it has happened) that I went over board; after all, K was only called “fat” and a “blimp”. But, this is where it begins. This is where a bully begins his/her career of teasing and tormenting others. For every time a teacher/parent/bus driver/para/principal/parent, etc., lets it go, the more bolder, brazen, confident, and often times, extreme, the tormentor gets. My challenge to you… take the pledge and stand up too!
“I will stand up and I will speak up for my students, so that they will all have a safe and affirming learning environment. I will take action with NEA so that every student feels welcomed and safe at school.”
Prairie teachers sign here.
All other teachers sign here.
Teachers, do you need help on responding to bullying? Read on…