Karen Huff Klein

This video is beyond upsetting, and brought me nearly to tears hearing how cruel students were to this bus aide who was simply trying to do her job.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/greece-school-district-bullied-footage-causes-outrage_n_1612925.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Working at schools, I've noticed a trend. Parents, not saying all of them, but many of them, taking less ownership of their children, continuing to blame schools and school staff, and sending their children the message that they are perfect angels who can do no wrong. I have no doubt in my mind that at least one of the parents of these bullies will stick up for their child, and will blame the bus aide. It's one of the sad realities that I've witnessed from present-day parents...they don't spend enough time teaching their children right from wrong, and the most important trait - how to be respectful. Incidents like this scare me, and make me second guess my decision to work in the school setting. However, it also inspires me to continue being the advocate for students who are going through difficult times, and who lack the parents in their lives to teach them how to be respectful individuals.

With the increasing amount of bullying happening throughout the country, and the perpetrators getting younger and younger, I've always wondered how children so young can learn how to be so hateful towards others. How can a middle school student find it appropriate and necessary to say things like, "you're alone because you family all killed themselves to get away from you". It saddens, confuses, and surprises me.

As with my post from a couple years ago on Tyler Clementi, my message continues to be the same - despite our differences, despite our interests, values, religion, age, race, gender, etc..we are all people, and like I always tell my students "we don't have to all be friends with each other, but the best thing we can do is be friendly and respectful".

On a last note, I'm so grateful for my parents for teaching me how to be a respectful and considerate person, and for not allowing me to become anywhere near how terrible these children are.