August 30th was freshmen orientation at Penn Yan Academy. I am not teaching Global Studies I this year, but volunteered to be a part of the bullying awareness sessions anyway. I proudly wore my bright yellow NEA "I took the pledge: Bully free starts with me" t-shirt and got real with students.
I told them how I remember in middle school getting teased for how I dressed and what I thought. How I remember the kids in high school who laughed at me because I didn't have money for name brand clothes. I told them about the boy who shared his seat on the bus with me for 3 years, the girls who genuinely complimented me, and the teachers who smiled and listened.
Then I told them about the Dignity for All Students Act, how I lobbied for it, and how I promised to respect them, help them feel safe, and always listen. It's what I do-help students become respected, respectful, and responsible adults.
(Heather Tillman is a member of Penn Yan Teachers Association)