Dr. Beane offers presentations for students, school personnel, parents and others in churches and other faith-based organizations. He speaks to thousands of individuals in schools and churches each month across the nation.
Students can be grouped by elementary and middle school and high school. The student presentation is one-hour in length. The adult presentations usually lasts 1 ½ hours. All adults (including teachers, parents, grandparents and all other adults) can be in one group and/or they can attend the student presentation.
In addition to his Ph.D. in Education, Dr. Beane has a degree in ministry. He is an ordained minister and served as a pastor of a small rural church for three years. He currently serves as a supply preacher and conducts revivals. Therefore, if you wish, he can deliver the Sunday morning or Sunday evening message. A video of a sermon and a list of references are available upon request.
Fee: Dr. Beane does not have a fee for speaking in churches and prefers not to receive a love offering while he is at the church. A love offering could occur at a future time. Some churches have elected to give him a church approved honorarium which includes consideration of his travel expenses and his presentations. The money will be used to support the Bully Free ministry.
The following is a description of faith-based presentations and workshops.
Presentation for Children and Youth: Help Your Church and School Be Bully Free!
Length: 1 hour (time is adjustable to meet scheduling needs and needs of younger students)
Description: This is a passionate student presentation. Reports indicate that some students have an instant change of heart and bullying is reduced immediately after hearing this presentation. The presentation is designed to empower bystanders, to give victims hope, and to promote the Golden Rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. It includes two movie clips and a variety of objects (e.g., coke can, milk, banana, lemon, paper, nails, Styrofoam plate, tooth picks, onion, and apple) that paint unforgettable pictures in the minds of students. Also included are heart-breaking stories (including Dr. Beane’s son’s story) to help students remember important concepts and to see the pain caused by bullying. The presentation discusses the need for students to “Guard their Tongues” and to “Guard their Hearts.” Dr. Beane makes this presentation to thousands of students almost every month. It ends with a challenge to students to treat others the way they want to be treated and to help teachers and other school personnel make their school Bully Free.
Note: Organizations are encouraged to purchase the appropriate student books, How to Be Bully Free (Grades 4-8) or How to be Bully Free (Grades 9-12) by Dr. Allan Beane. Discounts are available for large orders.
Presentation for Parents and other Adults: Help a Child Be Bully Free
Length: 1½ – 2 hours (time spent on topics is adjustable)
Description: This presentation addresses the nature of bullying, the rationale for preventing and stopping it, and a sampling of strategies. The following questions are addressed:
- What is bullying?
- Why must it be addressed?
- Why are some victims retaliating? (brief discussion)
- How often does it occur?
- Where does it occur?
- When does it occur?
- How is it different with boys and girls?
- Why do children bully?
- What are the typical characteristics of potential victims?
- What are the typical characteristics of victims – warning signs?
- What are the typical characteristics of bullies – warning signs?
- How can I help my child’s school prevent and stop bullying?
- What should I do when I find out my child is a victim?
- What strategies can I teach my child who is a victim?
- What should I do when I find out my child is a bully?
- What strategies can I teach my child who is a bystander?
- What resources are available to help me?
Note: Parents are given a helpful handout and are encouraged to purchase How to Help Your Child Be Bully Free by Allan L. Beane. Some PTAs and schools purchase this book for parents and make it available at the workshop.
Presentation: Help Your Church and School Be Bully Free
(A Student Presentation)
Length: 1 ½ hours
Description: This session trains youth ministers and other faith-based children and youth workers to make a passionate one hour student presentation. Reports indicate that some students have an instant change of heart and bullying is reduced immediately after hearing this presentation. The presentation is designed to empower bystanders, to give victims hope, and to promote the Golden Rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. It includes two movie clips and a variety of objects (e.g., coke can, milk, banana, lemon, paper, nails, Styrofoam plate, toothpicks, onion, apple) that paint unforgettable pictures in the minds of students. Also included are heart-breaking stories (including Dr. Beane’s son’s story) to help students remember important concepts and to see the pain caused by bullying. The presentation discusses the need for students to “Guard their Tongues” and to “Guard their Hearts.” He also presents scripture that condemns all forms of bullying and that give hope to the victims and their parents. This is a powerful presentation that Dr. Beane makes to thousands of students almost every month in public schools, private schools, Christian schools and in churches. The presentation ends with a challenge to students to treat others the way they want to be treated and to help the make their church and school Bully Free. During the training, the workshop participants observe Dr. Beane making the presentation and are provided with a PowerPoint presentation, a presentation script (20 pages), and an audio recording of Dr. Beane’s presentation. The trained participants are permitted to make the presentation to students in their church and organizations but are not allowed to train others to give the presentation. They also must agree to disseminate information about the Bully Free Program to key school personnel associated with their faith-based organization or church and to include Dr. Beane’s son’s story in every presentation.
Note: This training is usually offered by faith-based organizations who work with several youth ministers or others who could make presentations to students. Such training can also be provided at regional, state, and national conferences.
Presentation: Why Some Victims of Bullying are Retaliating
Length: 1 – 1½ hours (time spent on topic may be adjusted)
Description: This insightful and emotionally charged presentation addresses the psychological and cognitive path some victims of bullying have taken from hurt, anger, hate, rage to revenge. Also discussed are ways to provide spiritual support to victims and their parents. Dr. Beane also presents scripture that condemns all forms of bullying and that give hope to victims and their parents. Almost all school shootings in the last six years have involved victims who retaliated. This presentation is based on Dr. Beane’s son’s journey and a study of other young people who have retaliated. Dr. Beane’s illustrations (using an apple, Styrofoam plate, nails, etc.) and true heart-breaking stories are unforgettable. He served as an expert witness for the defense attorney in a criminal case involving retaliation – explaining to the jury why a high school student took the path from hurt to revenge. It is important for individuals who work with children and youth to understand this path and to be able to identify where victims are on the path.
Note: After the presentation, attendees may purchase the booklet, Why are Some Victims of Bullying Retaliating by Dr. Allan Beane, which includes the content of the presentation. If the sponsoring agency wishes to purchase a copy of this booklet for the attendees, discounts are available for large orders.
Workshop: Bullying – Stopping the Pain and the Violence
Length: 3 to 6 hours (time spent on topics can be adjusted)
Description: This workshop addresses the nature of bullying, the rationale for preventing and stopping it, and a sampling of practical and research-based strategies. The following questions are addressed:
- What is bullying?
- Why must it be addressed?
- Why are some victims retaliating? (brief discussion)
- How often does it occur?
- Where does it occur?
- When does it occur?
- How is it different with boys and girls?
- What are the typical characteristics of potential victims?
- What are the typical characteristics of victims – warning signs?
- What are the typical characteristics of bullies – warning signs?
- How can I promote a sense of belonging and acceptance in all students?
- How can I prevent children from becoming victims?
- How can I help children who are already victims?
- How can children who are victims help themselves?
- How can I help change the bully?
- How can I help empower the bystanders?
- What resources are available to help reduce bullying in our schools?
Presentation: How to Conduct On-the-Spot Responding to Bullying
Length: 1 ½ - 2 hours
Description: This presentation answers the question, “What should you do when you hear about bullying or see it?” It provides attendees with the knowledge to investigate rumors of bullying and to respond to bullying when they see it. The presentation also includes a sampling of strategies for empowering bystanders.
Workshop: Becoming Skillful in On-the-Spot Responding to Bullying
Length: 3-6 hours (time is adjusted for time to practice)
Description: This workshop answers the question, “What should you do when you hear about bullying or see it?” Workshop participants are provided with the knowledge and skills to investigate rumors of bullying and to respond to bullying when they see it. The workshop also includes strategies for empowering bystanders. Participants are given an opportunity to apply the information through role-playing, simulations, and problem-solving activities. |