Class Update

2/8: Today we watched the video "Bullied," a documentary film about a student, a school and a case that made history. The film was dedicated to a young, 11 year old boy who committed suicide. The film focused on the case that made history, and the gentleman that made it happen, Jamie. Bullying is a very big problem in many school districts across the country. This young man suffered from verbal, physical, and emotional abuse day-in and day-out. Through his struggles, he met a legal advocate, here in Minneapolis, who suggested a law suit. This case would be the first case accepted for anti-gay bullying. The case was won, and Jamie was awarded $900,000 in settlement, though no amount of money can make up for what he went through. Now, he works with schools on bullying, and has been invited to speak in Washington, D.C. Though this story made history, it is not the only like it. Many teens are in similar situations, with no support.
As a future teacher, I was shocked at how the school district dealt with, or more did not deal with, Jamie's on-going fight. As I watched this film, I felt for him and his pain, and I wondered what more it would take for all school districts to take a stand on this issue. With starting my student teaching on Monday, it is my goal to make a difference in the district in which I feel needs a stronger anti-bullying program.

2/10: Today we watched serious of video clips related to bullying. The clips focused on what it takes to be popular, or with the 'in' crowd and the social cruelty issues. After watching these clips, we worked in groups to come up with ideas for an 'Anti-Bullying Campaign.'
These are some ideas discussed in class:

• Provide a resource room
• safe zone for students who feel threatened
• Courage Retreat
• http://www.youthfrontiers.org/index.shtml
• large group bonding activities
• Anonymous drop-box 
• safe for revealing issues throughout school
• System of rewards and consequences
• good behavior earns rewards
• bad behavior earns loss of privileges
• take responsibility for actions
• Senior mentor/Peer mediation
• freshman paired with senior mentor
• easier to talk with peer vs. adult
• Youth Issues class
• focus on issues such as bullying, depression, sexual orientation, and acceptance
• Adult supervision
• more supervision in halls, playground, etc. 
• Parent involvement
• more involvement in rewards and consequences