Comments from Administrators and Teachers Regarding the Student Presentation
Dear Dr. Beane,
"I want to let you know how much I appreciated your message to our students today. Your message is powerful and straightforward with terrific insight. I have been an administrator for many years and have seen a lot of speakers and presentations, and I want you to know that your message hits home in a lot of ways. ALL of our kids could relate to your message in one way or another. I am so grateful for the work you are doing and the passion you are doing it with." -- Principal, J. Jury
Dear Dr. Beane,
"Thanks again for the message you delivered to our students yesterday. I sincerely appreciate the candor and sincerity you showed as you shared with us what no parent wants to imagine could happed to a child. I firmly believe that what you are doing is making a difference and saving lives. Keep up the good work!!" --Assistant Principal, Rick
Dear Dr. Beane,
"We want to thank you for your interesting and significant presentation of the Bully Free® Program. Your words were influential in increasing awareness in our students but also in our teachers and staff. We also want to thank you for your ideas and resources which we hope to implement in the near future." --Guidance Counselor, Becky
Dear Dr. Beane,
"Wow. . . You're presentation was incredible. Thanks for coming to our school. It was hands down the best presentation we have seen on the subject and provided a great jump off point for our discussions on bullying this year. Thanks for your dedication and hard work. One of the sixth graders said, "whoa that was intense. . ." when he left. You are definitely changing minds, hearts, and lives." --Language Arts Teacher, V. Darrigrandi
Dear Dr. Beane,
"I recently heard you speak at the Oklahoma Safe Schools Summit. I have heard many speakers in 20 years as an administrator and educator, but none as powerful of a message as the one you presented in OKC." - -Principal, K. Stinson
Dear Dr. Beane,
"Your participation in the Health Fair was sincerely appreciated. Your session on "Bullying" was the most memorable session for our students. When asked to write about the Health Fair, students commented on how they identified with the things you said to them. Please know that you touched the lives of many young people on that day. Our sincere thanks!" --Y. Woodward
Comments from Students Regarding Dr. Beane's Student Presentation
"I am so glad Dr. Beane came to our school. I think his presentation changed a lot of people. Especially me. All the examples he used I thought about thoroughly. I never want to be a person to make another person feel horrible about themselves. And I never want to be the person thinking horrible about myself. I can't even explain how different I felt after his presentation. And I hope that he gets the message that you shouldn't bully anyone to everyone. I am sure they would listen to him. I hope through the years he comes back to remind all kids about bullying. I will never forget his presentation. And I will remember it all through high school. I want to thank him very much for coming and changing who I am." - 8th-grade girl
"Dr. Beane has touched my heart. He made me realize what bullying is and how to stop it. Bullying scars people for life. Many people's only memory of being young is the hate people showed them. All you have to do if you know someone who is being bullied is to tell an authority figure to help them." --Sarah (student)
"The speaker really opened up my mind and made me think. He was right about everything he said, and it made me realize what could happen if a person was really scared or sad. I really am going to be nicer to people." --Emily (student)
"I thought Mr. Beane's speech was very good. He used many good examples and inspired me to be kinder to others and to stick up for others when they need to be helped. I liked it when he talked about how we can learn to treat others the way we want to be treated."
"When Dr. Beane came and talked to us, it was the first time I had really been sat down and talked to about bullying. In the past I have been bullied, and I have bullied others. I try not to pick on people because I know first hand how bad it feels. Sometimes I do and don't even know it." --Jacob (student)
"It hurts me every time someone physically or emotionally hurts someone, but I never did anything about it. Now I think I will. Mr. Beane is right. Bullying needs to stop. I admit that I have called people names in the past and laughed behind their backs and now I feel really bad about it. I have now decided to completely eliminate that behavior. I have been called a name by someone before and it really hurt, and that person probably doesn't even remember it." --Michael (student)
" Hi, my name is Katie and I am a student from GCMS. I just wanted to thank you for coming and talking to us about bullying. I think it was very brave of you to tell us your story. I am very sorry about it, but it was great that you felt we were mature enough to hear that story. Thank you so much!!!" -- Katie (student)
"Thank you for coming to our school to talk about bullying. I think you touched a lot of people's hearts. Especially mine." -- Kellie (student)
"Thank you for coming. You must really have a strong desire to end bullying. I got choked up just listening. I am sorry for your loss. Most of us really took it to heart." -- Holland (student)
"Mr. Beane, thank you for coming to our school to talk to us about bullying. It really meant a lot to me because I used to have a friend that was bullied around a lot. I appreciated it a lot, and I thank you for talking to us about it." -- Jamie (student)
"Thank you so much for coming to talk to us. Your presentation was really good. You must be a very strong person to come and tell us about your personal life. You've helped a lot of people, and I hope you can help others. May God bless you." -- Brittany (student)
"...I have learned so much about bullying and how it hurts people and sometimes ends in death. I am now more open to bullying and I help everyone out no matter what. I thank you so much for coming to my school and sharing your knowledge and your pain with me and the rest of the students." -- Shannon (student)
"Thank you for coming to our school to talk to us about bullying. I would have to say you were my favorite speaker all week." -- Brooke
"I thought that the bullying presentation was fabulous. The presentation touched me and has shown me that just because you look different doesn't mean that you don't have feelings. I am now willing to change my ways towards others and treat them with the amount of respect they deserve. I am willing to change this bullying process to keep the level of hurt to others on a lower level."
" We appreciate your talk with us. It touched all of us, and we want to make a change. We enjoyed and learned a lot from it. Personally, your one talk has changed me, too! I do not want anyone to be bullied, and I have changed. Thank you again for making that speech. I'm sure you have changed many people today. Keep it up." --Shannon (student)
"Dr. Beane had the greatest presentation I have ever seen on bullying. He basically made me a different person. I feel that no matter what a person looks like, or anything like that, you need to get to know them. Because people who look different doesn't mean that they don't have the sweetest personality." - 8th-grade girl
"Your speech touched me. It literally brought tears to my eyes. You are an incredible speaker and I loved how you incorporated my favorite movie, Forrest Gump, into your speech. You have really inspired me to stop this horrible injustice. After hearing about your son, the shootings, suicides, hitting and battering, I am determined to stop bullying at my school. You are a truly amazing person and I am glad someone like you is spreading the word to all of us who don't realize the seriousness of the subject. To tell you the truth, I never really thought much about bullying until now. I will not let you down. Nobody deserves to be treated the way your son was treated. I am determined to stop it. Thank you for coming and informing me. I certainly apprecaite it. Good luch with all of your future speeches." --Christina (student)
"I really was touched by your presentation today at my school. I've been made fun of before because one of my ears sticks out. During the presentation I almost cried because your son died. I really wish I could help, and I know I can help by not bullying and following the GOLDEN RULE! --Emily (student)
"You recently came to my school. Your story touched my heart and I finally realized what I had to do. I am 12 and I see bullying in my school. I told my parents about a girl and they said they will go talk to my principle. This girl can be my friend sometimes, but she also bullies me and makes up lies about me. Thanks to you I knew what I had to do. I had to tell my parents! I wanted to thank you very much." -- Sonya (student)
"I liked your show. It was so cool." --Nicholas (student)
"Thank you for coming to our school. I learned alot about bullying. I learned you have to help others to stop bullying. But bullies have to stop bullying too. Also bullies have to apologize if they want friends when they grow up. I accept your bully free school challenge." --Chris (student)
My name is Will. Words can hurt. I know it. I've been bullied alot. Thank you for coming." --Will (student)
I just wanted to let you know that your lesson was awesome! Some of my friends thought I was stupid, but the stories you shared, and the clips you showed us brought me to tears to think about some of the stuff people would do just to humiliate someone. I am very sorry about your son." --Jordan (student)
I just wanted to tell you, I think your presentation is a great and powerful thing. Therefore, you have made a positive impact on my life. Your words have changed me, and I would like to say thank you. I am glad you came to our school." --Kristen (student)
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School Personnel Workshop/Presentation--Comments from Teachers and other School Personnel
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"...Yours is a very powerful and emotional message which made a definite impact on many. Many staff members are still talking about it this morning."
"...I thought you were awesome." -- Judy Marchionni "Very fine speaker, well worth the time." -- M. Secreto "I cannot tell you how moved and motivated I was by what you had to say. I witness bullying everyday. Your speech really 'rekindled my flame' and put me back on track to being a better teacher. Thank you so much!" -- Shanea Moran "Yesterday I was privileged to attend a workshop conducted by Allan Beane. WOW! What a tremendous message he has to share. He has written one of the most useful books of our time!" -- Barbara "...the workshop was superb! Please keep delivering your message of hope." "...Awesome program. Schools should have this program available for teachers to use." -- Bonnie Lantor "Wonderful! Very insightful. Makes me remember the not-so-good days, but I am hopeful for others - for their futures. Thanks for coming." -- Stephanie Beery "Do this for middle school and high school teachers as well." -- Jen Pollock "Very insightful presentation." -- Marylee Ryan "Very nice!! Middle school and high school teachers should have been here." -- Linda Hall "Great workshop! Very thought provoking!" -- Wundrach "This was a very wonderful presentation - a very powerful workshop." -- Michelle Traver "...So great! I loved this workshop. Very valuable information." -- Barbara Matte "I wish the program was videotaped so it could be viewed again and again." -- Esther Frederick "Wow. Outstanding. Very emotional, very moving, and yes, you certainly empowered me to want to do something!" --Lynn Lewis "I was so impressed with your presentation that I could barely sleep last night!! I woke up and had so many ideas about what programs I could implement at my school." --Tanya French "I attended your seminar yesterday. It was wonderful and you were such a blessing. I truly believe in what you are doing." --Devon Allen "After last night's presentation I was compelled to drop you a line and tell you how worthwhile your program is. As a teacher I see bullying everyday and do my best to alleviate the problem. Nevertheless, as you well know, it is a problem that requires a fundamental shift in school culture as well as indvidual attitudes. That is why I am so very grateful for what you are doing and I wish you continued success." --Matthew Dobson "Our district should implement a Bully Free® plan. It is a probem district wide." "Well done! I think our students could benefit from a student presentation such as this for a follow-up activity." "This was GREAT! I'd love to get more information and curriculum to begin this at our school!" "I think we should implement these strategies in our schools. I would like to attend further training very soon." "I was very touched by the presentation. I would love to work more on this topic." "Our school system needs to follow through with this program. Implement this program K-12 with strategies and consequences for bullying behaviors." "Our students at ALL our schools need to hear this presentation." "Awesome! Great information." "This presentation touched my heart. I was a victim of bullying all through school. It still affects me to this day. Thank you for the service you are providing and the hearts you are helping to change." "Of all the staff developments I have attended, this one has been the most meaningful and enlightening!" "I really learned alot from this presentation. This should be taught everywhere. We all should treat others the way we want to be treated. Kids as well as adults. Not just the schools, but the work force as well." "The presentation was very much needed. I, like my daughter, have both been victims of bullying growing up." "Made me knowledgeable on how to handle situations with my students and my own two children. Thank you." "This presentation showed me the BIG picture about bullying!" "This presentation made me aware of some bullying already going on in my class right now and that I should try and put a stop to it right now." "Best staff development in years!" "Excellent! Needed! Do it again!" "Very knowlegeable and enjoyable. Enlightening! Thank you!" "Kept me interested the whole time. Great presentation!" "Phenomenal! The presentation was very motivational and informative. Contained strategies that I will use immediately in my classroom." |
| "Nothing in my life has touched my heart and hit home like Dr. Beane's lecture this past week. His powerful message will stay with me the rest of my life!" S. Caudill (bus driver) |
Parent Presentation--Comments from Parents
"Your talk will save my step-sons life. He lives with physical handicaps and I matched 99% of your symptoms with our son's behavior. I called my wife to make every preparation to remove him from his current living environment and to move up here with us. I didn't recognize the symptoms. I didn't know, NOW I DO! and we're going to save our son. P.S. Didn't want to attend this conference at first, but God made me come! Thank God!"
"I just came home from hearing you speak. I don't think I was ever so moved by a person's story and passion for change as yours. My son and I stood in line for awhile afterwards to meet you but we simply needed to get home as I have two smaller children as well. I wanted to thank you graciously for your time and commitment to something so serious (and until tonight I didn't realize just how serious.) I felt my heart simply ache for your personal loss but your courage, wisdom, faith and determination to make a difference in so many "hearts" simply moved me. I know that I will make it my mission (as I've always tried to do) in my own home to encourage my children to always treat people the way they want to be treated. Thank you so much for your time this evening and for reading this heartfelt email."
"I met you at a seminar in Nixa, MO back in January. I wanted to thank you for all that you do and your passion to solve this problem in our schools. If you have an "army" of followers/supporters, please add me to that list! T. Manasseri
"I am a parent of a sixth grade student that attended your student presentation last week in El Reno. I also attended your parent presentation and let me tell you that we were both very touched, and hearing your story really opened our eyes to what a big problem we all have. I wanted to thank you for caring for the children enough to go through all the pain again and again. You and your son have made a big difference." Karen
Teacher Training DVDs
"We just finished watching your training DVDs in our Teacher In-Service. I could not believe the number of teachers who came up to me afterwards asking for help. Some of them cried because they were bullied themselves in school and know how painful and damaging it can be. Others have children and grandchildren in school who are being bullied. One grandmother told me her grandson who will be in 7th grade does not want to start school Monday because a group of kids have been tormenting him since elementary school calling him names and making fun of him. We are thankful for your training and what you do to prevent and stop bullying!" J. Tuck