The Respect Program - Addressing Bullying

The Respect Program has helped thousands of children since 2012 build literacy skills and explore the arts. We are moving from having a fiscal agent to building a board of directors to take the program statewide. If you have a passion for literacy and arts education and want to apply to be a board member. Send us a message via FB or send to [email protected]. Thanks!

Here is my back in 2012 when we got started :)

Walt Whitman was born in the early 1800s on Long Island. During the Civil War, Walt Whitman's brother was hospitalized in Washington DC. When Whitman came from New York to see him, he was already passionate about the Union's cause. Seeing wounded soldiers in DC, he decided to become a volunteer nurse for the hospital. During his time there, he visited many soldiers, helped them compose letters home, and brought them little gifts....

Walt Whitman and His Support for Wounded Soldiers Walt Whitman was born in the early 1800s on Long Island. During the Civil War, Walt Whitman’s brother was hospitalized in Washington DC. When Whitman came from New York to see him, he was alr…

Edna St. Vincent Millay is one of the most important American poets of the first half of the 20th century. Her poetry is filled with carefully measured rhymes and imaginative themes that can inspire children today to write creatively. Millay published many books of poetry throughout her life and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1923. Her life was filled with exciting trips and good friends....

How Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Poetry Can Inspire Today’s Children To Write Edna St. Vincent Millay is one of the most important American poets of the first half of the 20th century. Her poetry is filled with carefully measured rhymes and imaginative themes that can inspir…

Emily Dickinson is known for her great poetry and her shyness. While she rarely left her home, especially later in life, she adored her nieces and nephews and wrote often to family and friends. Her poetry includes timeless topics such as nature, death, hope, and kindness. One of her poems I share with elementary school children in the Respect Program is:...

The Meaning of Life According to Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson is known for her great poetry and her shyness. While she rarely left her home, especially later in life, she adored her nieces and nephews and wrote often to family and friends. Her…

I am always looking for great books to introduce children to through the Respect Program. In our digital age, getting children to read and discuss great stories with positive messages is more important than ever. I was therefore delighted to read Brook & Brax Undercover Ninjas recently and I want to encourage you to check it out for the children in your life....

Book Review: Brook & Brax Undercover Ninjas I am always looking for great books to introduce children to through the Respect Program. In our digital age, getting children to read and discuss great stories with positive messages is more impor…

I recently met Kelly Ann Guglietti, a wonderful children's author with a passion for helping children build their self-esteem and empathy to help protect them against bullying. The Red Pig is a wonderful book of hers for early elementary school children. In addition to the story, there is a section at the end of the book filled with activities and questions for children to answer about how to deal with bullying....

Book Review: The Red Pig I recently met Kelly Ann Guglietti, a wonderful children’s author with a passion for helping children build their self-esteem and empathy to help protect them against bullying. The Red Pig is…

A great review of a wonderful book by Trudy Ludwig.

Book Review: The Power of One Trudy Ludwig has been a favorite children’s author of mine since I met her in the mid-2000s. Her books present wonderful life lessons to help children deal with bullying and stand up for them…

Trudy Ludwig has been a favorite children's author of mine since I met her in the mid-2000s. Her books present wonderful life lessons to help children deal with bullying and stand up for themselves in an assertive, rather than aggressive, way. Her latest book is The Power of One - Every Act of Kindness Counts. The story is about all the small ways we can be kind, build friendships, and grow a caring community....

Book Review: The Power of One Trudy Ludwig has been a favorite children’s author of mine since I met her in the mid-2000s. Her books present wonderful life lessons to help children deal with bullying and stand up for them…

Why we must do more than say "stop bullying" to stop bullying in our schools and community organizations.

Why We Must Do More Than Say “Stop Bullying” to Stop Bullying I was an anti-bullying consultant with a rural school district early in my career. One day I was leading a focus group with 5th and 6th graders about how they felt about the school’s culture …

I was an anti-bullying consultant with a rural school district early in my career. One day I was leading a focus group with 5th and 6th graders about how they felt about the school's culture and rules. One boy said in frustration, "I know what I'm not supposed to do, I don't know what I am supposed to do!" I think about this boy often as I teach children positive social behaviors to replace negative ones....

Why We Must Do More Than Say “Stop Bullying” to Stop Bullying I was an anti-bullying consultant with a rural school district early in my career. One day I was leading a focus group with 5th and 6th graders about how they felt about the school’s culture …

Reading fiction and non-fiction about how others face trauma and bullying can help us process what we went though and heal. You will heal. Things are going to get better.

Healing from Bullying Will Happen, Stories Can Help. Reading fiction and non-fiction about how others face trauma and bullying can help us process what we went though and heal. You will heal. Things are going to get better.