The role of teachers & administrators in bullying

Michael Pritchard, Humanist & Child Advocate, explains the role that teachers and administrators play in schools, and how it is important for them to stand up against bullying rather than turn a blind eye to it
The Role of Teachers & Administrators In Bullying - Michael Pritchard
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The role of teachers & administrators in bullying

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You know one of the most conscious amazing moments of my life about disempowering teachers so that they know what the dynamics are, I was sent to a school - if you wrote this in a movie, nobody would believe it. I was sent to a school to talk to the teachers. And when I got there, it hit me in the middle of my conversation making them laugh that I was there because there was 5 bully teachers that were wreaking havoc on the administration, on the other teachers, ruthlessly, viciously, angrily, calcified and concretized in a rage against everyone, and holding themselves in a tight formation to attack. And I had to work them. I had to stand and I had to speak to them as if they were children. And to make them conscious of the fact that you are supposed to be here to help the bullying from being stopped and not being indifferent to it. And not looking the other way, but engaging it. And guess what's happening. And I said, I love you. Do you understand, I really do unconditionally love you. But look what you're doing to yourself and others. Look what's happening to this. Do you want to get cancer? Do you want to have heart disease? Do you want to have a stroke early in life? Or do you want to choose to realize that you're choosing the two villages to live in? One where you're not defending the kids. We have to be like doctors - first, do no harm, and especially to each other. We're all here in sacred space, the sanctuary of education, the library, the place where kids need safety and wellness. Look at what you're doing. Confront yourself. Speak to yourself. Speak nobly to yourself. Put yourself in check. Do a gut check. And if you are doing no good here, move on. There's life outside your fear.

Michael Pritchard, Humanist & Child Advocate, explains the role that teachers and administrators play in schools, and how it is important for them to stand up against bullying rather than turn a blind eye to it

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Michael Pritchard

Humanist & Child Advocate

Michael Pritchard is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences on communication skills. Michael Pritchard is a big guy with a warm heart who as one student described him, “truly walks as he talks.”

He began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco’s Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, Michael Pritchard won first place in the San Francisco International Stand Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year.

Michael’s offers from Hollywood rolled in including a guest appearance on an Emmy Award winning episode of “Taxi”. His sensational standup comedy billed him with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg playing venues as Caesar’s, the Comedy Store, Universal Ampitheater and opening for such names as Diana Ross, the Grateful Dead, Kenny Rogers, Mike Mc Donald and Boz Scaggs. But Michael rejected offers from Hollywood to focus on using his comic talents for inspiring youth and adults.

Drawing from his counseling background, Michael Pritchard began using humor to inspire, teach communication skills, anger management, diversity, conflict resolution and overcoming burnout and stress.

His broad base of audience from corporate employees, healthcare workers, government and state officials have honored him with countless standing ovations and numerous awards including: President’s Volunteer Action Award, Commendation - Office of the Attorney General , Paul Harris Fellowship - Rotary International, Toastmaster’s International Speaker, Outstanding Performance - Federal Executive Board , Josephine Duveneck Humanitarian Award and the Key to the City of San Francisco.As a result of his work, Michael Pritchard has been featured on CNN, NBC’s “The Today Show”, “The Tonight Show”, CBS “Sunday Morning” with Charles Kuralt, “Time” magazine and “People” magazine.

His seven educational series for PBS and distribution has been seen by millions and focuses on youth guidance in the areas of violence prevention. “The Power of Choice” “You can Choose”, “Big Changes, Big Choices”.

Forming Heartland Media, he continued with “Red Ribbon Week” and “PeaceTalks” teaching students to make positive choices.“SOS: Saving Our Schools from Hate and Violence”, featured in both Time magazine and on CNN, filmed after the tragic Columbine disaster. His new series: “Lifesteps” builds the social and emotional intelligence in youth and has already received the Parents Choice Award

For his work in promoting nonviolence with youth, Dr. Michael Pritchard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Hartwick University and winning, 2001 Lewis Hine’s Award for Service to Children & Youth Certificate of Appreciation and the 2002 Marin Community Foundations Beryl Buck Fund Award for achievement in Promoting Nonviolence.

As an extension of Heartland Media, he established Heartland Media Foundation building character and emotional intelligence, violence prevention, inciting motivation and leadership in both youth and adults to improve schools and communities. The foundation provides youth guidance programs, including video, print curriculum, and live presentations by Michael Pritchard to aid in schools and communities where the funding is limited.

In the fund raising capacity, Michael Pritchard has help raise millions of dollars by donating his time and talent to events and various charitable organizations including: Boys and Girls Club – Ronald McDonald House –Salvation Army - Jewish Family Services – SF Giants Community Fund – American Heart Association –Women’s Wellness Forum – Special Olympics - CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates - Bread & Roses – Recreation Center for the Handicapped –– DARE –– Texan’s War on Drugs –– Vietnam Vets of America - Guide Dogs for the Blind

More Parenting Videos from Michael Pritchard >
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Transcription: 
You know one of the most conscious amazing moments of my life about disempowering teachers so that they know what the dynamics are, I was sent to a school - if you wrote this in a movie, nobody would believe it. I was sent to a school to talk to the teachers. And when I got there, it hit me in the middle of my conversation making them laugh that I was there because there was 5 bully teachers that were wreaking havoc on the administration, on the other teachers, ruthlessly, viciously, angrily, calcified and concretized in a rage against everyone, and holding themselves in a tight formation to attack. And I had to work them. I had to stand and I had to speak to them as if they were children. And to make them conscious of the fact that you are supposed to be here to help the bullying from being stopped and not being indifferent to it. And not looking the other way, but engaging it. And guess what's happening. And I said, I love you. Do you understand, I really do unconditionally love you. But look what you're doing to yourself and others. Look what's happening to this. Do you want to get cancer? Do you want to have heart disease? Do you want to have a stroke early in life? Or do you want to choose to realize that you're choosing the two villages to live in? One where you're not defending the kids. We have to be like doctors - first, do no harm, and especially to each other. We're all here in sacred space, the sanctuary of education, the library, the place where kids need safety and wellness. Look at what you're doing. Confront yourself. Speak to yourself. Speak nobly to yourself. Put yourself in check. Do a gut check. And if you are doing no good here, move on. There's life outside your fear.