What is a bully? Why do people bully? So many people try to figure this out, yet no one can ever seem to stop it or even define it. As a teacher, I've done as much as I can to stop bullying in my school. I read The Misfits, by James Howe, with my students, but that seems to have no effect. I teach "mini-lessons" almost daily about the dangers of bullying or the cruelty of name-calling, but it doesn't stop. Even I have become a victim of bullying this year.

I don't know if it's the feeling of power a person gets when they bully, or if they just enjoy making other people feel worthless, but it is something that affects me in a way that sometimes makes me feel sick. I see people being unkind, rude, and downright cruel every day, and it makes me wonder why they feel the need to act that way toward another human being.

I've listened to speakers, read books, attended programs, started assemblies, gotten my students involved, all with no success. What is the driving force behind bullying? I wish I knew the answer. All I can do is keep trying with the hope that someday, people will realize that bullying hurts, and when we hurt other people, we may feel good for a while, but in the end, we only damage ourselves.