Yesterday, a blogging friend,
Elizabeth at
wrote an entry
about Heroes
and what the word means in this day and age.
It's a word that is too often used,
in my humble opinion.
I, however, work with many real Heroes.
Today, I'd like to share one of them.
I think we could all agree
that there are many types of bullying. Most common are name calling, teasing, physically abuse,
the list goes on and on.
One form that isn't often talked about is the "set up."
You know, where a group of teens "sets up" the younger,
or more vulnerable student to break the rules?
In my line of work, this is very common.
The Special Needs students are often subjected to this rather
"subtle" form of bullying. Often at the lunch table or on the bus.
It's happened to my own kids, more time than I can count.
And while I work at a wonderful school that doesn't tolerate
bullying of any sort,
it's often harder to monitor this type as it is often quiet and can easily go unnoticed.
Fortunately,
one day, it was noticed.
Staff intervened immediately and the "suspects" were questioned as a group.
These students were males and ranged
from a 9th grader to several 10th-12th graders.
The teacher was met with a chorus of denials until
one
lone
boy...
the youngest
of them all,
stood up
and announced
"They are lying."
"We were setting the student up
in an inappropriate way."
A man had risen
above the others.
Accepting responsibility for his part
as well as the others.
He set aside his fears of being
ousted from "the group" and stood
up for what was right.
This is what a Hero is to me.
He can be an example to us all.
Young and old alike.
