I was just at a teacher

I was just at a teacher convention. One teacher said to my friend, "I don't have time to address bullying in my classroom. I don't have time to think about all that. There is just too much testing."

I hate the word bullying. I hate the word haters. I hate the glorification and simplification around this subject.

I recommend we FIND time to teach kids to understand themselves just a wee bit better. The rough kids I deal with continually soften way up when I catch them off-guard and make a simple little observation they can sink their teeth in. Knowing themselves better helps them empathize more with others because they feel more centered, and stronger from that.

This is a great list, but please, whoever-is-in-charge-of-all-this-testing... Give teachers five minutes to help kids to learn about themselves, the world, and the power of compassion.