Thoughtful Tuesday

I love to read! I love chick lit, realistic fiction, young adult books & memoirs. I have been reading a book that really has me thinking a lot about my profession because I work with children on a daily basis.

Today I finished reading Nineteen Minutes. It is the story of a school shooting. The author gives the reader insight into the lives affected by the shooting. The reader learns about the families through flashbacks as well at the time period leading up to the trial! There is a twist in the story as the climax is reached and the story really makes one think!

After I finished the book, I went back to read some of the quotes that were written in between the story. I began to ponder what makes a person bully or become a bully for that matter! Is a person born with the predisposition to bully, to be popular, to be unpopular, or to be a nerd? Does environment foster a child into becoming a bully or becoming popular? I often wonder if kids who became school shooters were predisposed to it or are they victims of their surroundings.

This book raises a lot of what if questions. It makes one think about being a parent, a teen, a friend, a lover. It makes one ask: What would I do? Would I be brave enough to stand up to a bully? Would I be weak and sit back and say nothing?

All I know is that as a teacher (even being a substitute) I watch kids interact. I would hope, I would be strong enough, aware enough to be there for the students who needs that extra attention, hope, and understand!