Blog 3

My colleagues have supported me in the following ways; emails, phone calls, discussion board conversations, and through the blogs. Throughout this class I have asked my colleagues if they were having some of the same struggles as myself and some said yes and others said no. I spoke to both side and the people that said they are not struggling gave me some advise on things that I need to do. A lot of people suggested calling our professor which I eventually took their advice and started doing. I was struggling at the beginning of the quarter with my applications and realized that's when I needed to reach out to my colleagues the most. Some of the conversations were through emails while others were through phone conversations. I feel that all of these things really helped me get through this class. I would also get encouraging comments on my discussion boards which helped keep my motivation up. I noticed that I was starting to become more confident as the weeks went on. I also finally opened up to our instructor which made a HUGE difference and I highly recommended this option.

I have supported my colleagues through discussion boards, emails, and phone conversations. On the discussion boards, I would add comments, questions, and advise that I felt would enhance whatever it was the discussion was about. I would also encourage my colleagues when they would become frustrated throughout the course by telling them that we can now "see" the light at the end of the tunnel and their was no time to give up now. I encouraged them to continue to push through the course.

I wish for all  my colleagues to accomplish whatever it is that they seek out to do. I hope that they never give up on their careers or education. I hope that they continue to do what makes them happy. I feel that they should continue to advocate to the children, community, and who ever else they need to in order to make a difference. It only takes one person to start a change and if you want it bad enough you will make it happen!!!

Only you can make yourself happy!

Blog 2

I would like to know how other people feel about the bullying policy that is in place where they are observing. If they are not aware of the policy then I would like to know about the policy that is at there place of employment. I would also like to know about their child's school policy on bullying. I think that the more feedback that I get the better. I can compare the differences and similarities between the two. I would also like to know what happens to the child that has been bullied? Is their someone that the child can talk to if they need to talk to someone? If so, who is that person? What is everyone's view on bullying and what so you think should happen when a child bullies? Do you think that bullying is being handled in the best possible way from your experiences? I am not asking everyone to answer all the question but if you could answer the one(s) that relate to you. If you would like to share a story about bullying please feel free, I would love to read them. I would also like to know how you felt about the situation and what the consequences were for the child that bullied.

Some of the resources that I am seeking involve the other schools in the district. I am asking how bullying is in their buildings. I am also asking if they feel that the plan they have in place for bullying now is effective. The answers vary from the different schools. I do see a difference in some of the schools through their referral rates. All schools are different and have different ways of handling it but the one thing that they have in common is that they have a zero tolerance when it comes to bullying.

The resources that I find helpful are on the Internet. I think the website that i like best is www.stopbullying.org. I use the Internet to do most of my research because I am able to see the differences between the different schools and districts.

Thank you to everyone in advance who respond!!! Have a great day.

Forgot quote Ambrose

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." Albert Einstein

Blog 1 Ambrose

There are many things that inspire me about my advocacy plan but the most important thing would be to see the change slowly happen. I love to her the stories from staff members when they try something that I suggested.  Not everything works but to think that they are trying it is very inspirational. I am also inspired by the students that have over come the bullies. I talked to a few students that shared their experience with me. I was amazed at how well they recovered from the situation. I suggested things for the students to do if they were ever in a situation again and they seemed confident that they would know what to do. The more we talk to the children about bullying the more confident they will be when in a situation.

I am inspired by the people that have been bullied and over come their situation. That helps me work harder to get the point across about bullying. When you hear children talk about the things they have over come when they have been bullied you realize that there is hope that you can beat the bully problem. I want to continue to be the voice of the victims of bullies. They are not always able to stand up for themselves and I want to help them see that they are worth standing up for! This meeps me motivated to continue to advocate for these children.

Some of the challenges that I am face with are the plans that are currently in play for bullies and victims. The school system already has an action plan for when things like this happen. I don't want to step on anyones toes or create trouble. I do feel that the plan they have in some of the schools do not work! I am not too sure how to begin to address the situation. I do want to look at the data as far as suspensions and referrals, things of that nature to see if there is a difference. If there is no difference then I have a better chance and I will feel more confident when I talk about my plan.

I think the most effective thing for me to overcome challenging emotions is to continue to be confident in what I am doing. I also have to remember that I am doing this to make a difference in a  child's life! I want to make a difference and this is something that i feel strongly about. The way to overcome challenging emotions with the plan is to continue to get effect data and statics on bullying. The more evidence I have the better!

I can encourage others by asking them questions about there plans that I feel I don't understand. That way they can go into more detail so everyone can better understand it. I can encourage myself by setting personal goals each week. I can also see the light at the end of the tunnel so that is very ENCOURAGING!!!!!

Hello

Good Morning, I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Amber and I am in my final quarter at Kendall. I am so excited to further my career with my bachelors degree. I am a mother of 2 wonderful children, my son is 12 years old and my daughter is 7 years old. I am currently working in a middle school with LD/BD children. I have been doing this for 4 years and I love it. I will be sad to go because I have created amazing bonds with the students and staff. I am married to a great man and a hard worker, I am very blessed to be where I am today and I look forward to reading everyone's blogs.

Have a great week!!

Amber

Thank You

I want to say thank you very much to everyone that has posted on my blog. I also want to say thank you to Sisie for helping through the class because I don't think I would have be able to with you! I feel that this class has helped me to accomplish many things such as, being about to find time for myself (for once). I have always put everyone else in front on myself but I have learned that sometimes you have to take a breather. This class has also taught me to take advise from others even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear. Everyone has given me something to think about and take away from the class. I am very grateful that I am able to attend college and get my degree. I feel this class is by far one of the hardest that I have ever take. It has helped my confidence and helped me understand that you can accomplish anything as long as you put your mind to it!

Thanks Again Everyone!!!

Interacting with families

Over these last couple weeks I have learned so much about the families and the children that I am working with. The parents have responded very well with me being in their child's class and interacting with them. I feel like when this class is over I will have gained the knowledge to become a better advocate for bullying. I am talked with many people through out this journey about this issue and they all say the same thing, "I can't believe how bad it has gotten!" I couldn't agree with them more. Yesterday I was talking with my husband about writing my paper and how nervous I am to turn it in. He got a phone call just as we were talking about bullying from his sister saying his niece's best friend was found in her room today and that she had taken her life because of bulling. I couldn't believe how close to home this was hitting now. My sister in law has to talk to her 9 year old daughter about suicide and bullying. I think that this is something that does need to be talked about at a very young age because children are not able to handle being bullied sometimes. This is the reality of the outcome of my topic and it is very saddening.
Some of the parents that I did get a chance to talk to for a bit were shocked to hear some of the facts that I was telling them about bullying. They didn't think that it was such a huge concern for children that are in their child's grade. I told them that it doesn't matter how old you are because it can happen to anyone. I also told them to go home and talk to their children about the subject because it is very important that they understand what to do when they are being bullied.
I did witness a couple children picking on one child in the class I was observing this past week and the teacher sent them immediately to the office to talk to the principal. (She talked to them all first) Then after she talked with the children that were involved she pulled the class together and talked about bullying and feelings. It was a wonderful thing for me to experience. I feel the teacher handled the situation exactly how every teacher should handle it.