Speaker/author tackles bullies in new conference
It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. (Source: National Education Association). Ninety percent of 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying, and one in seven students in grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. Conference speaker, recording artist, author and radio show host Shannon Perry will address the subject of bullying at her new event, “In Her Shoes,” a conference designed specifically for mothers and daughters. Perry says it is especially crucial for young girls to understand how to deal with bullying.
“I have personally known students who have taken their own lives due to bullying,” says Perry. “It is a heart-breaking thing to see so many kids tortured on a daily basis and not being able to handle the situations. We wanted to take the time in this conference to address this issue very specifically, giving both mothers and daughters the tools and information they need to deal with this problem that is permeating our schools.”
Perry, who holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling and is a Certified Instructor in Parenting Classes and Crisis Counseling, will teach on how to identify and respond to bullies, whether they are physical or verbal, as well as discuss the growing threat of cyber-bullying. Perry will offer both mothers and daughters practical prevention methods to deal with bullying.
“It is important to teach our children that they have the power to affect the agenda of bullies,” says Perry. “One way is simply by the words they use. For instance, when a bully calls a child a name that is inappropriate, the child can learn to defuse the bullying by making statements such as ‘That’s nice’ or ‘Oh well.’ Parents and children alike must remember that responding to the bully with negative statements will only make the bullying situation worse. The issue is ultimately one of self-esteem for both the bully and victim, and that is something parents can help fortify in their children.”
In addition to bullying, Perry will also address topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating, social media and other timely topics related to girls ages 12-18. Perry spent over fourteen years teaching in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District before becoming a conference host, author, and national recording artist. Her “If the Shoe Fits” women’s conferences are scheduled across the country and her syndicated radio show is now heard in several states by an audience of over half a million listeners. Her book, Grace in High Heels: Real-life Reflections of Humor, Hope & Healing, is based in part on material from her conferences and includes true stories from Perry’s life, reflecting on various issues such as being single, motherhood, marriage, finding purpose and many other topics. To date, her conferences have donated nearly 2,000 pairs of shoes to the Houston chapter of Dress for Success, a charitable organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
In addition to her conferences, Perry performs solo concerts and sang the National Anthem before 70,000 fans at a Houston Texans home game. She has also performed with the Houston Symphony and at Carnegie Hall. Perry has written articles for various media outlets including regular contributions to Salem Communications’ Crosswalk.com, Christian Voice magazine, Christian Women of Today magazine, WestSideStory.net, and Everyday Christian, to name a few. Her most recent recording, “The Real Thing,” was produced by Lifeway Christian Resources’ Producer of the Year, Paul Marino.
Perry is currently working on a children’s book series as well as a television pilot. For more information, visit www.ShannonPerry.com.
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“I have personally known students who have taken their own lives due to bullying,” says Perry. “It is a heart-breaking thing to see so many kids tortured on a daily basis and not being able to handle the situations. We wanted to take the time in this conference to address this issue very specifically, giving both mothers and daughters the tools and information they need to deal with this problem that is permeating our schools.”
Perry, who holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling and is a Certified Instructor in Parenting Classes and Crisis Counseling, will teach on how to identify and respond to bullies, whether they are physical or verbal, as well as discuss the growing threat of cyber-bullying. Perry will offer both mothers and daughters practical prevention methods to deal with bullying.
“It is important to teach our children that they have the power to affect the agenda of bullies,” says Perry. “One way is simply by the words they use. For instance, when a bully calls a child a name that is inappropriate, the child can learn to defuse the bullying by making statements such as ‘That’s nice’ or ‘Oh well.’ Parents and children alike must remember that responding to the bully with negative statements will only make the bullying situation worse. The issue is ultimately one of self-esteem for both the bully and victim, and that is something parents can help fortify in their children.”
In addition to bullying, Perry will also address topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating, social media and other timely topics related to girls ages 12-18. Perry spent over fourteen years teaching in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District before becoming a conference host, author, and national recording artist. Her “If the Shoe Fits” women’s conferences are scheduled across the country and her syndicated radio show is now heard in several states by an audience of over half a million listeners. Her book, Grace in High Heels: Real-life Reflections of Humor, Hope & Healing, is based in part on material from her conferences and includes true stories from Perry’s life, reflecting on various issues such as being single, motherhood, marriage, finding purpose and many other topics. To date, her conferences have donated nearly 2,000 pairs of shoes to the Houston chapter of Dress for Success, a charitable organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
In addition to her conferences, Perry performs solo concerts and sang the National Anthem before 70,000 fans at a Houston Texans home game. She has also performed with the Houston Symphony and at Carnegie Hall. Perry has written articles for various media outlets including regular contributions to Salem Communications’ Crosswalk.com, Christian Voice magazine, Christian Women of Today magazine, WestSideStory.net, and Everyday Christian, to name a few. Her most recent recording, “The Real Thing,” was produced by Lifeway Christian Resources’ Producer of the Year, Paul Marino.
Perry is currently working on a children’s book series as well as a television pilot. For more information, visit www.ShannonPerry.com.
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