Stewart was a 7th grade boy. Most described him as confident, athletic, taller than most, and socially powerful. But there was a problem. If Stewart wasn’t lumbering for touchdowns or hitting homeruns, chances are he was making fun of or accosting weaker children. Aside from all the great things going for Stewart, he was a bully. Everyone in his school knew it—except the adults.

Ready for change
As schools begin addressing disruptive and damaging relational issues, bullies like Stewart become less comfortable. The silent bystander as majority begins to change. Instead of remaining quiet and looking the other way for fear of becoming the next victim, students embrace the power and responsibility of speaking out.

In many ways, bullies are captors who are able to retain tight control of a section of life less visible to the adults in a school building. When a good social-skills approach is internalized by staff and students, people like Stewart become apparent to everyone and meaningful change can occur. This is what happened, and the reason I’m writing this story.

Stewart was referred to the middle-school office for harassing a student in the locker room after PE class. We spent time discussing his interactions with peers, and why this behavior was dangerous for everyone involved. It became apparent to me that Stewart had a habitual problem that needed to be addressed.

Stand up for what’s right
Our school is a K-12 building with approximately 1200 students. I had recently purchased a children’s book on bullying entitled Nobody Knew What To Do. As I talked with Stewart I got the impression he did not understand the seriousness of the situation. It occurred to me the book might be a way to drive the message home. I gave him the book and told him his consequence was to read it to a 2nd grade class. He was responsible for contacting the elementary teacher and setting up a time to accomplish this task. After reading the book, he needed to answer students’ questions about bullying, and help the younger children understand how important it is for everyone to stand up for what is right.

Stewart wasn’t as confident as he appeared. He struggled with this consequence, as it was much more difficult than simply serving detention or writing an apology letter. He needed to come face to face with children 5 years younger than himself. He needed to explain how important it is for bystanders to speak out against hurtful behavior that ultimately lowers student achievement. Stewart needed to become an advocate for his victims.

There was another aspect of this consequence Stewart wrestled with: there was nothing about reading that he liked. Although gifted verbally, Stewart was self-conscious about his reading ability and feared above all else reading in front of others.

Stewart took the book home and practiced reading it. His parents were supportive and helped him prepare for the big day. He missed his appointment to read three times before finally taking responsibility and fulfilling his obligation.

One less bully
It went well. After he finished reading and speaking with the primary students, Stewart came to my office and enthusiastically shook my hand. He must have thanked me many times for pushing him to complete the mission. I was amazed at the personal growth displayed by Stewart over the following weeks and months. He began to apply his talents in a constructive manner. He remained a gifted 3-sport athlete, was active in student council, and was well-liked by most. He graduated this past spring and is scheduled to continue his education in the fall.

Over the years, my library of No Bullying books has grown, and several other middle-school students have successfully completed the same assignment. I’ve yet to have a student repeat the same offense after looking into the eyes of several younger students as he or she teaches them the tools necessary to defeat the bullying problem in our school.

Principals Library of Children’s Books on Bullying
Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Bully? by Tedd Slater
Nobody Knew What To Do - A Story About Bullying, by Becky Ray McCain
Mr. Lincoln’s Way, by Patricia Polacco
Secret of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman
Pinky and Rex and the Bully, by James Howe
Jody and the Bully, by Elizabeth Anders (The Puzzle Place)
Herbie’s Troubles, by Carol Chapman
Being Bullied, by Kate Petty and Charlotte Firmin
Bully, by Judith Caseley
The Balloon Boy: A Story about Bullying, by Amy Kleissas
King of The Playground, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain, by Trevor Romain
The Recess Queen, by Alexis O'Neill

Darren Overton is the principal of Pine Island Middle School.

This article first appeared in Origins: A Newsletter for Educators, Fall 2005