One form of bullying that occurs when many students (and adults!) don't even know it is happening is the use of the word "retard".
Please read the following blog post written by a mom about her daughter and the use of the r-word:
"Being Retarded"
I think she shares such a powerful message here. I felt empowered after reading this post for the first time, because I truly understood why it was such a terrible word to use.
Confession time: I used to use that word all.the.freaking.time. Finally, when I started taking my college classes for my special education degree, I "got it" and thought, "Enough is enough. I need to stop." With the help of some friends, I was able to finally get myself to stop using that word.
After reading that blog post for the first time, I remember thinking "thank goodness I no longer use that word!". I felt as though I would be a total disappointment of a special education teacher if I still did. Then, as stated before, I felt empowered. I had co-workers who still used that word regularly, and totally out of context! I wanted it to stop!
I found that the best way for me to approach the subject was in a one-on-one or small group situation, explaining how much it bothered me when they used that word. Then, you know what I did? I sent them the link to that blog post! How much more powerful that message is from the mother of a girl with disabilities than from me!
And, you know what? Those people stopped using that word in front of me. Notice how I say "in front of me". I have NO idea if they still use that word in other areas of their life, and it isn't my job to police that. But, they do not use it in front of me, and I appreciate that. I just hope that I helped to make enough of a difference in their life that they see that word in a totally different way.
Want more information or to sign the pledge to stop using the r-word? Go to www.r-word.org to help "spread the word to end the word". It's a great website with tons of information and videos on the topic!
Here is the video we watched in class today about Eric!
See you next week!
Mrs. Hoekwater & Mrs. Bosch
Please read the following blog post written by a mom about her daughter and the use of the r-word:
"Being Retarded"
I think she shares such a powerful message here. I felt empowered after reading this post for the first time, because I truly understood why it was such a terrible word to use.
Confession time: I used to use that word all.the.freaking.time. Finally, when I started taking my college classes for my special education degree, I "got it" and thought, "Enough is enough. I need to stop." With the help of some friends, I was able to finally get myself to stop using that word.
After reading that blog post for the first time, I remember thinking "thank goodness I no longer use that word!". I felt as though I would be a total disappointment of a special education teacher if I still did. Then, as stated before, I felt empowered. I had co-workers who still used that word regularly, and totally out of context! I wanted it to stop!
I found that the best way for me to approach the subject was in a one-on-one or small group situation, explaining how much it bothered me when they used that word. Then, you know what I did? I sent them the link to that blog post! How much more powerful that message is from the mother of a girl with disabilities than from me!
And, you know what? Those people stopped using that word in front of me. Notice how I say "in front of me". I have NO idea if they still use that word in other areas of their life, and it isn't my job to police that. But, they do not use it in front of me, and I appreciate that. I just hope that I helped to make enough of a difference in their life that they see that word in a totally different way.
Want more information or to sign the pledge to stop using the r-word? Go to www.r-word.org to help "spread the word to end the word". It's a great website with tons of information and videos on the topic!
Here is the video we watched in class today about Eric!
See you next week!
Mrs. Hoekwater & Mrs. Bosch