Don't Feed The
Bully is the new novel by
author/comedian Brad Tassell in 2006. dontfeedthebully.com provides a safe place
to talk about helping empower the bullied, and find link to
other help and information.
Handy is now featured
in a new story, GERM WARFARE. He is teaching students grades
3-7 about H1N1 and
how to protect themselves. Get the story right
here! This
story was commission by Public Health of
Illinois. I am
doing engaging fun school programs!
Testimonials, and other kudos for
the program and the book.
Thanks, Brad,
The kids haven't stopped talking about you.
You did a great job and gave them a great message---and for a
little while, they got to have some fun:)
Rebecca is a rare educator. She
chooses to work with kids who are considered by many the
hardest to reach. And she and her staff are reaching
them. I believe I helped them do that. But they
will and do, take my message and book and work daily to make
strides to stop the bullying.
Hi Brad,
Thank you for your email and acknowledging the
people who buy your book.
I and my son, Eric, am in the process of
reading your book. Although I just started it this
morning while waiting to speak with Eric's sixth grade
advisor and also vice-principal of his school regarding a
physical bullying incident (Eric being the victim), I have
found it to be a WONDERFUL and compelling read and one that I
truly believe anyone who reads will benefit
greatly.
I suggested to the vice-principal that the school
add this to the "Reading Counts" list and hopefully it
will become a reality. Can you send me information
regarding the cost of 100 copies?
Thank you for writing the book. I hope to
spread it around Southwest Middle School and help those who
have remained unheard and unhelped.
Pamela Simpson
Pamela is one of the greats, as his her
son. He follows Handy's advice and they are working
through a big problem. Look at her follow up email about
her sons brave actions.
Brad,
I wanted to get back
briefly to thank you for all the info. I will be
exploring tomorrow.
This response will be
speckled because I want to be brief, but here goes: Eric
did not fight back. He tried to walk away and reason
with the 8th graders.
It happened in the gym
locker room. No supervision there. How
nice.
Eric is a good
kid. He took it upon himself to tell the gym teacher,
and when nothing happened on that end, he went right to the
principal's office and completed a witness/victim
statement. When I picked him up from school, he told me
what happened and we went right back into the school and
demanded to see the principal and the deputy on duty and
succeeded in doing both. This happened on the Friday
before the Thanksgiving break, so this is all new and
after this morning's meeting, I await the school's completed
investigation and action on the incident.
Oh, I just realized I
did not tell you what happened. In a nutshell, Eric was
whipped with a belt, pushed to the ground and slapped on the
ears.
Pamela
These are amazing people, and I know Eric will grow up to
be a great leader.
Mr.
Tassell,
Thank you for
such great presentations. Our kids really loved your
talks. I hope we see a change in attitude in some of the
kids.
We are
definitely going to buy some more books. Many of the
kids want one for themselves. I have called Patty and
arranged to get them ordered. I was wondering if we can
somehow get them signed by you. I know we talked briefly
about it. If you can think of a way to do this, please
let me know. If not, that is ok too.
What you all may not know is that
I am actually a hypnotist. I walk in put them all under
tell them they had a great time, and then that they will feel
like they had a great nights sleep, and I am out of there in
under 20 minutes. Oh and I tell them to order more
books.
Hi Brad,
I wanted to let you know that I really
enjoyed your bullying seminar. I enjoyed it so much
that I was wondering if I could have a copy of
your PowerPoint?
I
hope that you made it home OK, and your daughter is doing much
better. I know how hard it was for you to have to come here
and leave her while she was sick. I appreciate your sacrifice.
I knew that our kids would have a great time with what you
present. They had a ball, and will not soon forget you, your
comedy, and presentation on bullying. I'll bet most will
remember this event as long as they live. I wanted
to know if you minded giving me an address that I could send
something to you. E-mail me back when you get a chance, and if
you don't mind sharing your address, or at least one that I
can mail to. I hope to see you again in concert, and hope that
you will consider coming back to our county in the future if
opportunity arises.
God Bless!
Andrew
Williams Reading Specialist, Rugby Middle School 3345
Haywood Rd. Hendersonville, NC
28791 (828)891-6566 FAX -
(828)891-6589 awilliams@rug.henderson.K12.nc.us
It was truly a treat, and Darby
is fine. Thank you for thinking of her. Matter of fact, I now tell that story to
most groups.
I thought that Brad Tassell was quite funny
and did a great job of making the students feel relaxed.
I was not sure how seriously the students were taking the
subject matter. However, upon questioning my 7th
graders, I learned they were able to recite the 4 things one
should do when they feel bullied. They also remarked on
how funny Brad was and that they enjoyed the
assembly.
Honor Zalewski 7th grade
teacher Language teacher, St. Bridget's School, Richmond,
VA
Yes, and anyone who would like
some great tips for teachers on helping to stop bullying
contact me. We have a lot of fun, and I sometimes will
bring a chocolate fountain.
I actually read the book last night.
Excellent!
What attracted me to "Don't Feed the Bully!"
was the video clip of the highlights from your anti-bullying
presentation. I thought you were brilliant! Keep
up your work.
I am a Special Educator, and a Martial
Arts/Safety instructor, and my Martial Arts class is working
on putting together and anti-bullying presentation for
Bullying Awareness week. Right now we're exploring
how best to reach the kids "in the middle" (neither bully nor
target), and I think that your book and presentation made one
point clear.
Humor is an effective mechanism to get past
the defensive reaction that most kids have when an adult (or
adults) with an agenda try to make them aware of
their own role in the bullying dynamic.
We probably won't be able to match your
flair, but we will definitely try to learn from an approach
that seems effective.
Thanks again for your valuable work ,and your
excellent website and online resources.
I also believe that Martial arts
training is a great way to help kids defeat bullying, and not
just because it teaches you how to defend yourself, but
because you learn discipline and the importance of not
fighting.
Thank you Brad! You made quite an
impact. The kids really liked you a lot and many have
said we should have you back sometime. You are welcome
for the summary. It was really helpful to our fourth
grade. Thanks for coming and presenting. Tell your
wife hello and that I am glad she remembered me. That
was a really fun vacation we had on the cruise...all six of us
loved it. Thanks again for coming to South. Take
care.
Hey, I love when I can do three things that people
like. I would like to see all of your on a cruise.
I am a comedian for Carnvial, and people are often surprised
when they see me there.
A few days after your visit, the
8th graders used a large box as a visual for a
chapel message. After they were finished with it they
redecorated it to look like the bully cage on your book. It
sat proudly in the hall for a week with a banner that said,
“Don’t Feed the Bully”. A few parents asked what it was about
and I asked them to ask their child.
I have to say there are some great principals in the
world. Tony could be their
leader.
Dear Brad
I am a fifth grade teacher doing a capstone
project for my technology endorsement. I come to fifth
grade all the way from kindergarten and the one thing I
have dealt with most is bullying. This is the reason I have
decided to make this the object of my capstone project. My
students are going to read your book, do some research, listen
to a presentation given by the counselor and then make a
movie to educate parents and other fifth
grades on recognizing and dealing with bullies
(utilizing many of the resources found on your
website).
It has taken me all year to find a worthwhile
project and I would love to have you speak to my students.
I would also like to get your permission to allow some of
my students to play act parts from your book for
demonstration in our movie. I would certainly give you
credit and recommend your book to
parents.
In addition, I would love to repeat this project
next year and have you make a visit to our school. My
principal gave me the go ahead to make an invitation. We are
located in Canton, GA about 30-40 miles north of
Atlanta. Our school is called
Macedonia
Elementary. Thanks for your book, any help you may
offer, and for the wealth of resources I found at your
website.
Sincerely,
Joanna Leifeld
Okay, this is way too
cool....
Dear
Brad and Pat;
Thank
you so much for your reply. I am really excited about
this. I have to tell you that I love our school. I
think that our principal and staff have all the right stuff to
make the school even better. I just know that our principal
tends to look at the school more academically and sometimes
forgets the social aspect of it. He is a math man so
totally understandable. Also he is a VERY present
principal and I absolutely love that about him. The kids
really like him. He is always very welcoming of these
ideas and programs but just doesn’t come up with them on his
own. Cost is another thing he has to look at. So I
think that when I am finished with all the particulars and
present it to him that he will welcome this easily.
I already have the PSA’s support which is where the
money will most likely come from and I am going to meet with
the president of the school board as well. She is a
wonderful lady.
As
far as the STAY CALM. That is one that I had to learn
early on. I am 100% Italian with a hot temper. I
had that “you can mess with me but not my kid” thing going for
a while in my brain, but thankfully never acted on them
without thinking it through. Thankfully I married a
wonderful man that helps me channel that fury into positive
change. I have not lost my cool yet at the school.
That is why when I found your book it just opened my
eyes for a fun, new and interesting way to bring a great
message to a great school. I love the simplicity of it all, we
just have to work on the follow through. I look forward to
meeting you and talking to Pat to get this
rolling.
Cindy
Helms
There is nothing I love more than people who
realize thier foibles and work on changing them. Bravo
Cindy, Bravo.... Let's also not she married a man named
Helms and he helps steer her the right
way...
previous
emails of the day....
Brad
Thanks for responding. No one has gotten
back with me about trainings or conferences or presentations
on Don't Feed the Bully . I would like information
so I can see what the cost would be for you to come to Hillman
Michigan and present your works. I have been doing
readings/presentations to the 5 and 6 grades on your book and
the dynamics of bullying and how bullies present themselves
and how students can avoid confrontation with a bully.
It would be great to have the author of the book and your view
on bullying to help these students really grasp the concept.
Some bullying has stopped, some continues because the victims
just can't or won't change how they react to the bully.
Please have someone get in contact with me with information
and costs. I can be reached at Hillman Elementary 245
3rd Street Hillman Michigan 49746. My email is.
Thank-you and I am looking to hear from you.
Meg
Yes, I have let you all know that I am
not as quick as I could be getting back with everyone, but I
am out of the country a great deal. But look how
wonderful Meg is taking it in stride, and sticking to
it. Can't wait to see you and the school. Also I
am brimming with pride that the book has helped them with
their bullying...
Hi: I just
downloaded the book and read it- couldn't put it down, so to
speak. I'm really wanting to share it with my boy's
school- namely principal and SW. With permission, can I
forward my download for him to read, and if he approves,
I would buy a set of books for the school. let me know.
thanks Judi ..... I want him to see your site, the
chapter summary, the study guide and the bully tips. My
boy is in the middle of all this and as it goes - the bully,
the bystander, and the victim are all very well addressed in
the book. I feel that kids need to become the problem
solvers and critical thinkers and this seems like a way of
approaching an informative lesson of
awareness.
Thank you Judi. You don't know how much it means to
me. (Hint: A whole bunch)
I absolutely loved the books! I gave
the 2nd copy to Cougar Creek Elementary, where my son
attends. They loved it too. My son did a book
report on the book. Thanks again!
I hope the book in that library gets
destroyed from excess
reading.
Events:
email Brad at llessat@aol.com for school
visits, to talk to teachers, have a bully forum, host a book
signing, come to a library!
2008 International Reading
Association regional conference presenter, Nashville, TN Dec.
9-8
Speaker 2006 International
Conference on Youth Education Corpus Christi Texas
Artist in residence IUSE
Chosen to present
5th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education
Other recent highlights:
American Library Assoc. meeting for
Southern Indiana, keynote address
Founder's Day Dinner, Northern Indiana PTA
Assoc, keynote address
Oak Hill Middle School PTA Book Club
Huge event at Barnes and Noble Mishawaka,
every seat full and kids on the floor. March 3.
International Reading Association Conference
hour long presentation November, 9. Overland Park
Kansas
Las Vegas school presentations, Sherkenbach
and Thompson
Discover Middle School presentation.
PAE Southern Arts Conference.
May 4-8, 2008 Asked to present at INTERNATIONAL
READING ASSOC. National Conference in Atlanta
ANNOUNCING VIDEO CONFERENCING
AVAILABLE
"Brad is an engaging speaker and
presenter. The kids really responded to him. His book
was the same - giving a serious message but in a fun, and
humorous way. He was excellent at getting the students engaged
with silly songs, actions, etc. but then, was able to get them
back into more serious discussions. The kids really
enjoyed talking in real time with an actual author. They
were quite impressed with the video conference format - to be
able to dialog with someone far away with no delays or
glitches. And I think hearing speakers is always an enriching
experience. This is such a cool way to do that without
having travel expenses!" Cathy Savery, Gemini
Elementary School
If your not,
your should be. Contact TANDBERG by clicking the Logo.
They have what fits your needs.
If you have the technology
to video conference, then I have the program that can help
with your bullying issues and it is only a fraction of the
cost of any other program in existence. For $200.00
dollars you get the hour conference and 30 copies of Don't
Feed the Bully. (Speical author Discussion.)
New! Brad reads the entire book to your class
and leads the discussions. Go to www.cilc.org for info.
Don't Feed the
BullyLIVE
by video!
To get all the information about
Brad's video conferencing programs go to: www.vcbrad.com Programs,
information, Tech specs., Evaluations, you can listen to
chapters from the book. Plus, information on Brad's new play
for high school students.
