Why can’t we all get along?

I was a very awkward teenager.  I grew really quickly, and maybe it was a little too fast for my coordination.  I tripped and fell often, and was a little « chubby » for the social images in the media. I was not one of the « popular » girls but I had a lot of friends because I am a sociable person.  I honestly never came across bullying in my years in the public school system (sometimes later on in life at work, but not as a teenager).  Maybe it occurred, but I was in my egotistical teenage bubble and did not see it…  Today, I am a teacher in an inner-city high school with a diverse multicultural immigration population.  Recently, I have been coming up against some major challenges in my classroom.

Being teenagers in today’s world, my students are coming up against the tough challenges of cyber-bullying when they go home and bullying in the school and in my classroom.  From being in close proximity to each other and since my students see each other half a day on a daily basis; these challenges may be even more amplified.   I want to ensure that all of my students feel safe and comfortable to attend my class on a daily basis.  I want my classroom to be a haven for them; so that each individual feels like a part of our classroom community and they learn.

Until Friday, I had a student teacher teaching this class.  As of Monday, I am taking over the class and want to ensure that I am prepared for the challenges ahead.  Last year, I adapted and translated some Freedom Writers activities from the book Freedom Writers: teachers guide by Erin Gruwell (and yes, the movie is based on her experiences in the classroom) into French.  The students seemed to enjoy it as it provided an opportunity for them to get their feelings and ideas onto paper in the French written language.  I don’t want to mark them, as I think that this activity is even more than giving a grade.  I want it to be learning experience about themselves and their learning and living environment. (if you object to this, please comment as well…)

I think Freedom Writers may help, as well as strict routines and classroom rules about respect.  However, I would like to take this opportunity to open up the dialogue to other teachers and administrators who have come across bullying and the wounds it can create and how they have confronted this issue.

Aidez-moi s’il-vous-plaît!  I care about my students, and my own personal growth as a teacher.  I need you!  I have been hearing about other stories lately on the news, a lady who hired a bodyguard for her daughter, parent conversations on Virgin 95.3 as well as student testimonies of the tragic results that can occur from bullying, please help me protect my students (and maybe help others along the way…)

Wednesday, February 29th is anti-bullying day in Canada: WEAR A PINK SHIRT to show solidarity!

I have written this post in English in order to address a larger population (since most of the members of my PLN can communicate in the language…amongst others)