#1 We all Empathize with you, in some way or another.
#2 Short term - You need to get adults involved in protecting the innocent. Parents, Admin, community members, and Other teachers! and teach the kids how to appropriately stand up for themselves! You'll have to figure out what works for you, but it might be cool to get some successful people to help change perception (cops, attorneys, local celebs, biz owners, church leaders... etc)
#3 DO THEATRE!!! Work into your theatre shows experiences that empower the artists, and messages for the gen population that encourage better behavior. This is what we do, right? HSM might be interesting... or find some way to connect the dots between your artistic groups and groups that tweens are more likely to be easily drawn to? We do a Drama Camp for little kids (you could include 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders...) and when the little kids enjoy doing theatre games and being onstage - it can have the affect of helping them to see the arts more broadly (just one of the fin things they do) thus breaking down the walls that seperate the "sporty/success" type activities and the "Weirdo" ones. And their parents will give you money to make more impressive things happen onstage!!!
I'm sure it's extra difficult in the 'trenches', but I'm sure that you can take steps towards a better situation!
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[Drama] [Dan] []
[Drama Teacher/Director]
[Dublin Coffman HS]
[Dublin] [Ohio]
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2024 11:05
From: Karlie Kohler
Subject: Why are drama students often bullied by their peers? How do I help?
Hello!
I am a Middle School Drama Teacher at a private school in South Florida.
Over the last two years, our school has developed a pretty severe and shocking bullying problem, especially in regards to students involved in the arts. (Although they are not the only kids targeted... it's rough out here.)
Students who choose to participate in the arts, and drama, are often targeted by their peers who see them as the "weird kids" at our school. I am a pretty young educator who has worked in schools in New York City, Colorado, and now Florida.. and I have never seen anything this bad before. I am constantly losing kids in the drama program because they are afraid of their reputation and do not want to be associated with drama or theatre. Kids tell me that they love doing this and have a passion for theatre.. but that their peers are bullying them so bad they do not want to continue.
I have been trying, since I started at this school, to help shape this perception. I am a pretty young educator (27) so I do my best to try and relate to the students at the school. I've tried bringing in social media, tiktok, anything I can that reaches them. The students just tell me that this has ALWAYS been an issue, even before I began here.
I know that theatre kids are often stereotyped as the weird kids... but why is that? Why, as a society, has this become the norm in schools? What can I do to fix this? How can I help? I hate seeing kids give up on their passions due to bullying.
Any and all resources are appreciated.
Have a great day!
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Karlie Kohler
Middle School Drama Teacher
Miami Country Day School
FL
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