I remember it like it was yesterday. Three years ago my husband and I were at the Brunswick Junior High School. Seated across the table from our daughters eighth grade teacher and the guidance counselor, trying to figure out why our daughter didn’t want to go to school anymore.

The teacher said, “Your daughter dresses differently than the other kids.”

I said, “Yes … she does have her own style. I’ve always encourage my children to ‘dare to be different.’”

To which the teacher replied, “I think that’s part of the problem … kids this age need to fit in.”

Really? I don’t have a teaching certificate nor do I have a degree in psychology, but I think that maybe part of the problem is having a teacher that believes that kids “need to fit in.”

Fast forward three years. Our daughter, Mara (who was pulled out of the public school system and home schooled) will “graduate” from high school this weekend, a year ahead of her class. She has fulfilled all of the requirements to receive her diploma.

We are very proud of her. I am also very sad for the many children that are tossed aside, ignored and made to feel unimportant because they don’t “fit in.”

A few years ago, a little boy (not in Brunswick) was being tormented at school because he brought his My Little Pony backpack (his favorite) to school. The administration’s “solution” to end his torment was to tell him to leave his favorite backpack at home. A teenage boy was picked on because he wore pink pants to school. The administration’s “solution” for that issue was to tell the boy not to wear pink pants. Seriously, that is not the solution. Most people who make a difference in this world are not considered “normal.” So why are we letting our schools stifle our children’s individualities? If I could, I would go to every school in this country and tear down all of the little “You can do it” posters and install a big placard at every entrance that states, “We have no tolerance for intolerance.” Until we do this and ensure that all teachers are on board with the concept … I’m afraid there will be many kids that will not thrive because they do not “fit in.”

I would tell that little boy to hold his head up high and wear his My Little Pony backpack with pride … and that teenage boy … you rock those pink pants!

For us, this will be a weekend of celebration. Congratulations Mara, you rock! And remember, different is good!

Louann Dustin-Hunter,
Brunswick