Bullied

Jamie Nabozny is a former gay student in Ashland, Wisconsin where he faced bullying everyday in middle school and high school. After he suffered through school, because district officials would not do anything to stop the bullying he sued the district for $900,000.  Now Jamie speaks out about his experiences to support a movement to eliminate bullying in our nation's schools. 
After viewing his documentary and him share his thoughts about the subject I gained useful information to apply in my future teaching practices.  Jamie outlined three important issues that need to take place in our schools and they are: Prevention, a Comprehensive Approach to Bullying, and a Societal and Big Picture View. 
With Prevention our children need to understand that our world is changing constantly and they can't fear the future, but instead celebrate diversity.  Also Empathy is a skill that should be taught to our students.  Sexism is a problem and a cause of the bullying, and in order to prevent bullying these views of gender stereotypes in our society need to be changed.
In understanding a Comprehensive Approach to Bullying school officials and teachers must turn directly to our students.  Kids are 100% sure of where and when bullying is happening, therefore they need to be bought into the problem.  Students should be using their ideas to eliminate bullies, but the adults need to allow the students the power to do so.  There are three things that Jamie outlined that teachers can do to stop bullying. One is ensure that your classroom is safe, which is directly related to your classroom management style. Two, take a stand against indirect harassment, such as stopping the use of the phrase "That's so gay." Third, use correct language when reporting bullying.  Be specific and use terminologies such as assaulted or harassed.
Lastly the big picture is to create an environment/society of acceptance.
This experience was very touching and made me more aware of what students face in our schools.  It was heart-wrenching to hear about the emotional and mental toll it takes on a person.  As a future educator in the public school system, I will take a stand to eliminate bullying and create an environment in my classroom that is accepting of all.  Like Jamie pointed out, we're not a better person by standing back and doing nothing.  We can't be neutral, because no child should have to go through what Jamie did.