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This dad is passionate about protecting his daughter against unfair treatment at school, and has a few choice words of advice for all parents.
Read his inspiring motivation here:
I am THAT guy, as much as my wife s THAT mom…
Having been bullied at school (both of us, we later learned), we have an aversion to any form of intimidation, segregation or unfair treatment, especially at school.
My daughter is now in Grade 1. She was bullied, she was ignored and for some reason, would be cast aside in favour of the "clique" kids: it has stopped.
Why? Simple: I'm THAT guy. I know what a school may and may not do. I know when I'm being 'pooh-poohed' just to go away, and I make sure that they know that I know when they're being idiots.
I'm the quiet one. My wife is the terrier!
Also see: 6 Dangerous myths about bullying
'My child is there to learn'
Parents should not allow teachers or principals to intimidate them or their kids. Know your rights, and stand by them.
As much as they can harass and cajole the kids as a way of 'getting' to the parents, by the same token, I will be in your school, and your office every day of the week if there is a problem and you don't solve it.
My child is there to learn. Not collect money or be the punching bag for your bad day. She is not a stellar athlete, but she tries, really hard because she enjoys it, for the pure joy of being with her friends.
She is kind, artistic, soft-hearted, shares with everyone, and does well academically.
Also read: ‘Ridiculed in front of my kids’: Readers share that schools still withhold reports
'Parents and teachers should be teammates'
Nurture that, and teach her. Treat her with the respect that you insist she shows you, and she will give you her best, every single time.
More than that, we will work with you to ensure the best results, because parents and teachers should be teammates whilst we try and teach our little people to be better than we are.
Do NOT discourage, embarrass, threaten or discriminate against her because of school fees or other issues which should be sorted out between teacher and parent.
My Standard 5 teacher did that to me, and I will go to my grave hating the man who said, in class, and later at the assembly, "You'll be nothing. You are nothing."
He turned me in THAT guy - the local school has already discovered that.
Know your rights, and stick up for your kids and yourselves.
School bullies are not only on the playground.
- Dad Neil
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