School

I can recall moments from each of my school years, K-12 crystal clear.  In Kindergarten my teacher was Mrs. Elefson at Bertha Barbra Elementary in Bellevue.  In 3^rd grade Mrs. Kowker took care of us.  In 6^th grade Mr. Berry was my hero.  8^th grade it was Mr. Day.  11^th Grade was Mrs. Cokela. 

Ok, so I can name most all my teachers.  What else do I remember?  I remember teasing other students for various reasons.  Skinny then, I remember teasing girls that were overweight, and those that had trouble with body odor.  I don’t recall anyone being teased for too many other reasons.   

For me,  it was around the 6^th grade that I started to realize that I began to realize that I didn’t subscribe to the hype about pretty girls as everyone did.  The posters, the magazines, the commercials, etc.  Did nothing for me.  Neither did Saturday morning wrestling.  It was not until I moved to a bigger city and school district that I “learned” more about people and life.

I most remember in the 7^th grade, as we moved to Omaha, that the biggest dividing line in school is the “H’s”.  The have and the have nots.  The we have money, we have this house, we drive this car… and those that do not have those things, the have nots.

I was a have not kid by their standards.  We didn’t own our home.  We didn’t have a car.  Although our bills were paid, we didn’t have savings or a big bank account.  I always had meals, a roof and clothes.  And I know that I DID have something that I don’t believe these “have kids” didn’t.  I DID have a mother who loved me, who loved life, and love helping others. 

I have given various programs in middle schools and senior high classes throughout my life.  And I do see and hear the changes in how some students treat each other.    Many schools have a hostile learning environment.  One that is not a near level playing field for those who are…

In this case, in this blog it is about GLBT youth.  With the highest suicide rate of any youth group in this country, our GLBT youth are not safe in many schools.  Many schools are not equipped with the skills, tools and resources needed to help students.  And to my dismay, there are simply a few cities and school districts that don’t care to.

The HRC has created the Welcoming Schools program.  Welcoming Schools is an LGBT-inclusive approach to addressing family diversity, gender stereotyping and bullying and name-calling in K-5 learning environments. Welcoming Schools provides administrators, educators and parents/guardians with the resources necessary to create learning environments in which all learners are welcomed and respected.  Click here to learn more.

By getting involved in your local school district, regardless if you have children or not, you can help bring about change that will affect your life, your school, your community and for generations to come!

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One classroom at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals