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Challenging bullies – one dance move at a time

March 13, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Bullying has become an issue within schools across Ontario and Canada. The recent focus bullying has received on a national and provincial level has been inspiring for many. Along with technology, bullying has changed; unfortunately it hasn’t been for the better. With the Internet, and cell phones, bullying has developed a cyber aspect. It’s not longer occurring at the schools, but also when the students go home. A local teacher in Tottenham has used her passion for music to help put an end to bullying.

Laura-Beth Smith (nee Gray) began teaching voice and piano in 2008. Music has always been her passion, its allowed people to communicate a message and unite with one another. Since January 2012 Laura has been teaching in the public elementary and high school system, making an immediate impact, “I felt that I could facilitate an environment where students feel safe, can express themselves, and develop self-confidence”. Laura remembers what it was like going through elementary and high school; it could definitely be rough at times. After witnessing and hearing about bullying within her school, Laura used music in attempt to make a difference. It was her first experience bringing dance and music to a school, which made her realize how powerful they can be, “when I go into schools to facilitate dance workshops, I witnessed how students dancing together was a bonding experience”. The key to prevent bullying is to make everyone comfortable with who they are, and that’s exactly what Laura sets out to do, “when I go to a school my goal is to create an environment where students feel safe to be themselves and take risks”. Laura’s unique methods and programs have been an instant success at the Tottenham Public School, both students and staff have been extremely supportive.

Throughout her career Laura has not only focused on standing up against bullying, but also taking it a step further. The methods to preventing bullying have always been reactive, but Laura’s methods have made it obvious that it’s better to be proactive. Laura and her coworkers have worked on teaching their students to improve the way they treat one another on a daily basis, “the campaign to end bullying really doesn’t end after the stand-up to bullying week or events are over. It continues throughout the school year as we encourage students to make positive changes for themselves and others”. It’s obvious Laura has found a unique way to use the combination of music and dance to deliver an extremely important message, bullying must stop now.

By Michael Tomasone

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