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About James H Burns
Since 1977 Jim Burns has been working with students who have learning disabilities and behavioral problems. He has almost 40 years of experience working as an administrator, teacher, college instructor, and seminar leader. He is committed to helping administrators, parents, and teachers establish standards of excellence and help them build successful relationships with their staff, students, and children. He has written and designed The Bully Proof Classroom, a graduate course that is now offered at The College of New Jersey, and La Salle University in Pennsylvania in partnership with The Regional Training Center. This course has been endorsed by the NJEA. He has also written “Anti Bullying 101.” A book that provides teachers, administrators, support staff and parent’s 101 tips on how to achieve permanent help in dealing with unruly behavior and can be used as part of any anti-bullying program. In May of 2015 Jim was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by Gratz College in recognition of his almost forty years of work in student behavior management and anti bullying. He is available for on sight in-services and keynotes.
Significant Others
"It doesn't mean that much to me to mean that much to you." Neil Young sang this verse in his
song "Old Man." Significant others. We all have them, and we all have had them: those that have
impacted our life in such a way that we can still hear their voice calling us long after they have
passed on. My dad was very significant in my life. He was hypercritical, I always sought his
approvalit was tough to get. Sometimes I just wanted to give up. I mean, what's the use in
trying? I thought, "Can't please the old man no matter what I do." The story is too long to tell
here, but after he attended one of my baseball games and saw, I mean really saw the type of
baseball player I was, he told me that he was so proud of me and hugged me. I don't think he had
a clue as to what that meant to me. I forgot all the past criticism and have hung on to those words
to this day. He probably changed my life and didn't even know it. Whether we want to believe it
or not, as adults, we are significant to others right now. It's time to realize how much we mean to
our children, our spouses, and as educators, those we teach. How much does it really mean to
you to mean that much to another person? It doesn't matter what you have said or done in the
past; a life can be changed with the right words at the right time. Often, we allow our past to
dictate how we are going to treat others; don't let it. The bullies and the victims of this world are
crying out for significant others. Their parents may not be doing enough to fill the void in their
hearts and souls. Come to terms today, and I mean right now, on what you really mean to others,
and take the time to let them know how much they mean to you. If anyone would like the full
story about my dad you can view the video by clicking here.