“If you’re horrible to me, I’m going to write a song about it, and you won’t like it. That’s how I operate.” Singer/songwriter/Teen Idol, Taylor Swift
“If you’re going to stand up for yourself… there’s no reason to scream or curse…. Do not stoop to their level” Jamie Isaacs
The above quotes reflect ways to address the problems of life for young people in a healthy manner. In fact, there are so few “healthy manner solutions” today in practice that make the news and catch the attention of young people. One needs only to read the local or national news and see time and time again that conflict resolution and problem solving is met first with weapons and violence, whereas words and outreach to appropriate persons in agencies frequently don’t even make it to the list or the brains of adolescents. What is wrong with this picture? PLENTY! Every state in the nation is mandated by Departments of Education to have standards and curriculum and procedures in place to deal with harassment and bullying.
So, why did it go so horribly wrong in the area of Lake Grove, Suffolk County, New York for the Isaacs family? It is an unbelievable story that reminded me of a modern day “Little Rascals-Spanky and Our Gang” gone wild to the point of constant harassment and death threats in which school teachers and administrators actively participated! How could this be? ‘An entire school district complicit and mired in their own dysfunctional culture that their ring of terror is seen as permissible? Yes, it appears so!
And yet, Jamie Isaacs, with the able assistance of her parents, has risen above this terror and created a wonderful legacy for others to prevent future bullying and thrive in spite of their unhealthy environment. If you can’t change it, go around it. One way Jamie is working to change the environment of bullying is through the Jamie Isaacs Foundation.
If you are a parent, grandparent, a child advocate, or concerned citizen, you must listen and learn from the lessons of Jamie Isaacs, for her outreach and ability to change the landscape is truly amazing,”in spite of.”
SHATTERED LIVES RADIO PODCAST
Highlights of the podcast:
- Introduction to our guest
- It started in second grade…for no apparent reason- “I want to live in your house when you die…”
- Indifference and violence at every turn… “We’re going to kill the rat…”
- How to stand up and demographics of the townspeople
- Complicity, and the lunchroom
- Twenty two kids….
- Approaching the police…
- “Garbage girl”
- Delilah’s comment re the rapidity of these occurrences and the bullying kids as victims
- Jamie on “bullies never act alone …. Wingmen”
- Understanding being nice and inactive bystanders
- If you’re going to stand up for yourself there’s no reason to scream or curse…
- Big battles and small battles…
- White card, blue card…succeeding and slinging
- The Knox School
- Bullies taking two roads…
- The Suffolk County Cyberbullying Law
- The New York State Dignity for All Students Act:
- The Jamie Isaacs Foundation and the former hotline
- Federal School Safety Act with Congressman Tim Bishop:
- Jamie’s Book: IN JAMIE’S WORDS
- Equine Therapy
- Jamie’s presentations and trainings with school systems
- Update on Jamie’s former schools… Stabbing …’We’ll catch him next time”
- Heads in the sand….
- Suicide and bullying statistics as of 2010
- My parents are my PR people and cheerleaders….
- Jamie’s and Delilah’s parting messages
Question Topics:
- What was the type and level of harassment?
- What was the response of the school and police officials?
- What was Jamie’s reaction when transitioning to another school?
- What was “the root of the issue?”
- What occurred in 6th and 7th grade?
- What was her experience on the internet?
- How to help the bullying kid?
- Did Jamie seek counseling and was it effective?
- What happened with in-school suspension?
- What is the punishment for cyberbullying in New York?
- What is unique about Jamie Isaacs Foundation?
- What is Jamie’s other passion?
- What are her family members doing currently?
Disclaimer: The comments expressed on this website or on the broadcasts of Shattered Lives do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the hosts, producers, or other guests.
Donna R. Gore 