For Professor Geek

As his teacher, I am aware I am of great influence I am to him. Being open and writing for me this poem shows that he is willing to change and stop bullying other kids. I will encourage him so that he strengthens his resolve and adheres to it.

I order for the whole class to participate and strengthen Antonio’s resolve to change, I shall ask the class to write down a story or an instance when they were bullied. The conclusion should involve the emotions that the pupils experienced while in the bully’s hands. We shall then discuss what the pupils write down, especially the conclusions. That part will be the most useful for Antonio and other bullies, as they will relate with the bullying, but not with the emotions of fear and panic for their victims. Discussing this will enable Antonio to know just how bad bullying is and how glad the teacher and class in general is, now that he is willing to change. This will also create a friendlier environment for him than he currently enjoys. I hope the positive energy he gets from classmates will enable him to apologies to his classmates and start the journey towards becoming a better person.

I would like the class to support Antonio in his quest to becoming a good boy. Antonio’s classmates are also his age mates. Therefore, been friendly to Antonio and involving him in their activities will be important so he does not feel secluded hence return to his old ways. A child may become a bully if he feels left out or is not given attention. It is only natural for a person to want to belong or identify with a particular group. Ti shall encourage the classmates to interact more with Antonio, be friendly to him however, so that he socializes with them and interacts in a friendly way.

However, I do not expect this behavior to stop overnight. It has to be reinforced constantly until the bullying side of Antonio is overwritten by his new and good side.

Antonio should be thorough in his bullying quitting endeavor. In order to follow this up successfully, Antonio should develop a checklist and keep a diary that he will keep filling throughout the day. In his diary, he will write down everything that he did, good and bad, at least according to him. Then the next day he will strive to do better than he did yesterday. That will enable him to work on changing and adapting to good behavior. In his checklist, he will write down the activities that he intends to do throughout the course of the day and will mark them either done or not done. That will enable to keep him occupied hence lack time to engage in bullying and other socially unacceptable behaviors.

In order for Antonio to make a complete change from his bullying tendencies: his classmates, teachers and parents need to be involved. That is since these people are very active in his life, they have a constant influence on him. His parents should be included as they influence him and guide him when they are not in school (Orpinas & Horne, 2006). Therefore, for this change to be followed both at home and in school, it is necessary to bring the parents on board. That will enable them to monitor Antonio’s progress in the absence of the teacher.

The parents are advised to reinforce good behavior, especially when he interacts with kids and doesn’t bully them or even protects them from been bullied. Reinforcing of such good behavior should be through be congratulated or his good action. Depending on the magnitude of his good action, he may even be rewarded. However, this should not happen often as he will begin to link good behavior with rewards, therefore, only work for the rewards and not at all for behavior change.

If all the people involved in this exercise play their part, then Antonio’s transformation will be successful. However, if the people involved do not play their part, Antonio is likely to regress, meaning any progress he may have made will be lost. Ways in which the teacher and parents can fail include the following; teacher failing to look and mark Antonio’s checklist and diary, failing to acknowledge good behavior after seen him. This will make Antonio think that he is not trying enough causing him to give up on his noble quest (Swearer, Espelage, & Napolitano, 2009). His parents should also create time for their son where they can engage in family activities, showing their son how much they love and appreciate him. Such actions will make him want to change so as to please his parents, teachers and even his classmates and start getting praises and recognition from all.

The above plan, if followed will enable Antonio to make a complete change from his bullying self. After changing, when he examines himself on the ‘Looking Glass Mirror’ he will not see a bully but a good and loved boy, that is how he will also be viewed by those that he interacts with; his classmates and friends, parents and even the teacher.

References

Bankston, C. L. (2000). Sociology basics. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem Press.

Orpinas, P., & Horne, A. M. (2006). Bullying prevention : creating a positive school climate and developing social competence. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Swearer, S. M., Espelage, D. L., & Napolitano, S. A. (2009). Bullying prevention and intervention : realistic strategies for schools. New York, NY: Guilford Press.