I slowly turned onto the little side road with trepidation. My heart began to pound, my hands began to sweat, and my head suddenly felt incredibly heavy. As I drove down the road, I mentally started to go through my checklist:

• Park far away so that I arrive just in time for the start of school
• Never be left alone with her in the room
• Find another co-teacher to walk to recess with
• Have a reason to immediately leave after school
• Record every interaction

That checklist was getting wearisome, and it never stopped the fear that would build in my heart as I approached school.

Me. A teacher of 8 years.

Me. A teacher who was passionate about the well being of children.

Me, someone who loved getting to know new people… was afraid.

Yes, I was afraid of my co-teacher.

I was her 4th teacher in 3 years, all leaving for the same exact reason: She was a bully.

I learned a lot that year, especially about how bullying impacts the body. It was hard to focus when I was always concerned about my well-being. It was hard to trust other adults when I was concerned about the slander and lies she was spreading about me around the school. It was hard to get up and go to school when I knew I had to face her everyday.

And that was ME AS AN ADULT?! How much more does bullying impact children.

I had always been a teacher who was passionate about creating a safe, respectful, and loving environment for my students. After that year with that bullying co-teacher, I was more passionate than ever of creating a space where my children felt seen, heard, loved, and empowered. I understood the slow pain of being manipulated, and psychologically worn down. I understood that when someone complimented or affirmed my strengths, it was now going through the filter of her lies and cruelty.

I understood that healing takes time. Consistent time. Time to empower. Time to believe in yourself once again. Time to have the courage to speak the truth of what happened, and the truth of who you are… over and over and over again.

• So what is bullying?
• How do we help student identify bullying?
• How do we help victims of bullying find the courage to voice their needs?
• What are the signs of bullying?

That’s what we discover in my Bullying Prevention Bundle!

Bullying is the abusers efforts to control and manipulate their victims. Bullying prevention, whether by other kids or adults, is an essential lesson for building a safe classroom community.