“There are strategies that bus drivers can put into place that can diminish the impulse that


inspires bullying.” — Jodee Blanco, creator of “It’s NOT Just Joking Around!”


MEET THE 2011


has allowed her to attach herself to each child’s story and problems; to empathize with students who may not be able to talk to anyone else they trust. With K.A.R.M.A., Brookshire said, “I want to focus on the good and the happy.” Blanco’s presentation at NAPT was a tailored ver-


sion of “It’s NOT Just Joking Around!,” and it primarily addressed school bus drivers on what they should and should not do and say. Blanco told School Transpor- tation News before the NAPT show that school bus drivers play a vital role in the school bus. Tey can save a child’s life, but they can also traumatize the child by what they may not do. “Te school bus is an extension of the classroom and


the bus driver is the guardian angel of that bus,” she said. “Te bus is the hot zone because bullies know that the bus driver has to be engaged with the road. But there are strategies that bus drivers can put into place that can diminish the impulse that inspires bullying.” Brookshire’s presentation at NAPT let attendees


know what kids are going through from a victim’s point of view, and how adults should react. While Blanco talk- ed about a bus driver’s role when it comes to bullying on a school bus, Brookshire emphasized on parental in- volvement also being important. “It is the parent’s job to make sure the kid is not bully-


ing on the bus,” she added. “It will take the burden off of the bus driver. Tere’s a lot at stake, so I encourage par- ents to take a very active approach so bus drivers don’t have to.” However, Brookshire noted that bus drivers shouldn’t


turn the other cheek when bullying does occur on the school bus. “Tey need to be interactive with school ad- ministration so they know who to reach out to in case something happens,” she said. In the end, both Blanco and Brookshire said bullying


should be combated through a united front. “I think if we’re all working hand in hand, then I think it will be a more effective approach,” Brookshire said. ■


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