The New Video Curriculum

Keith is now focusing exclusively on offering his video curriculum, Character Video, to schools and para school organizations. This is a powerful program that includes student, teacher, and parent targeted video lessons that can be streamed into the classroom, school wide, and even off campus.  To learn more about Keith’s videos, please go to www.CharacterVideo.org . You may also contact Keith through the contact page on www.CharacterVideo.org

By Noemia Da Silva

& Kylie Guidi

Staff Reporters.

 

Caption under picture:

Keith Deltano emphasizes “It’s time for the drama to stop!”  He won the Teaching Excellence Award and was listed in the Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Outstanding Young Men of America.  He was also awarded the National Impact Award for the impact he had on parents.  See more about Deltano at www.DontBullyOnline.com (photo by Alexa Stoia)

 

Audience Reacts to “Labels Lie” Anti Bullying Assembly

Text form student’s “speaking bubbles”

“The assembly was interesting: it spoke to a lot of kids who needed to hear it.” – Anthony Casiano

“Seeing that he took something that used to hurt him and used it as a way to help others was really inspiring.  He was helping other high school students that might be going through the same thing he did by telling his story.” – Sean Buel

“The anti bullying assembly made people realize that everybody is going through different things.  You shouldn’t exclude people because they’re different.” – Jaime Pillion.

The overall bullying assembly was good.  It was impactful because humor grabs the attention but the message he brings is what makes it great” – Mr. Clymer

“I liked his sense of humor.” – Brady De Angelis

“The most inspiring thing for me was that he managed to tell us the age old message, “Be nice to someone,” in a way that was entertaining to an assembly audience that has been told this same idea a hundred different times.” – Peter Depres

“The assembly was inspiring because it made me realize that everyone, no matter what their reputation is, has a story and may be hurting on the inside.” – Carrie Ann Callahan

 

     Bullying.  Racism.  Prejudice.  Gossip.  These four words caught the attention of the assembly audience when former military police officer, public school teacher, private counselor and educational comedian, Keith Deltano, opened the anti bullying assembly in mid-October. 

     Deltano, who dubs his interactive assemblies as “serious comedy,” draws on his own background to reach out and share with youth of all ages.  He told the audience that during his sophomore year in high school, he was nicknamed “Rock,” and even though he didn’t like it, he laughed along.

     “Just because someone laughs along with something you say, doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt,” Deltano told the crowd during the assembly.

      Using this example as a springboard, Deltano drew applause as he encouraged individuals to embrace their own uniqueness in a culture where fitting in and normalcy are overrated.

      “In American culture, heaven forbid if you don’t fit in, but I’ve got a message for you if you’re different,” he said during the assembly.  “I don’t want you to fit.  We have enough cookie cutter kids wearing the same things, singing the same songs, acting the same, doing the same things.  I want you to be different.  Let’s hear it for the different kids!”

     Using rapid-fire speech and movement, Deltano structured his assembly to illustrate four types of bullying that occur in high schools:  Physical, Verbal, Exclusion and Online.

     He also addressed the more subversive dynamic of Girl Bullying: Guys might put you in the hospital, but mean girls put you in therapy,” said Deltano.

    During the assembly, Deltano also emphasized how bullying occurs between the differences in social classes.  “You get all wrapped up in clothing and appearance,” he said.  “But just because your mom can afford to shop at the mall does not make you better than a kid whose mom cannot afford to shop at the mall.”

   In a particularly humorous skit where he re-enacted the dynamic of his two young Children, Deltano demonstrated how bully-like behaviors can be fostered without either the victim or the bully realizing it. 

    His skit involved his daughter, age eleven, being protective over a stuffed animal, while his son, age four, enjoyed getting a reaction out f her by stealing it.  Deltano explained once he realized his son was getting joy not from stealing the toy, but form the reaction, he was able to help his daughter stop reacting.  In turn, his son stopped stealing her toy.  The reaction, after all, is what bullies want, Deltano explained.

   “But you can’t be letting them live in your head,” he said.  “Don’t give them a reaction.  It is time for the drama to stop!”

HS paper article on bullying Assembly

Keith can adjust his virtual assemblies to fit the needs of high school, middle school, and elementary school students.

ready for a speaking tour
Keith’s anti bullying assemblies, teacher workshops, parent workshops, and curriculum work well with the following programs:

StopBullying.Gov: A national overview of government information on bullying, cyber bullying, and bullying prevention programs.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: An international anti bullying curriculum.

PBISPositive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.  A behavior modification program.

www.stompoutbullying.org: Makes the tolerance message cool with “blue shirt day” and celebrity sponsors.

www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org: First person teen accounts and solutions.

www.nobully.org: School level program that stresses empathy and intervention.

Assembly & Curriculum Feedback

“Keith’s assemblies were incredible and his follow-up curriculum was effective, easy to use, and the kids loved it. The teachers and staff appreciated that the programs were grade level appropriate and engaging.”
Edward Garcia
Principal, Winters Middle School
Winters, TX
"You are one of the most gifted anti bullying speakers for schools we have ever had and you touched many, many, students. The impact of your presentation on the students was amazing!"
Dr. Kathy Dills
Principal, Liberty High School
Bedford, VA
“After Keith performed his anti bullying assemblies for our middle and high schools we implemented his curriculum, we have seen a decrease in bullying / harassment problems during the year.”
Jim Kuhn,
Principal, Powell High School
Powell, WY 
“One of the best anti bullying assemblies for elementary schools we have ever seen.”
Ben Koh
Principal
Manlio Silva Elementary School, Stockton, CA
“Keith’s anti bullying program captivated the attention of students Kindergarten through twelfth grade. He was funny, interesting and straight forward.”
Debbie Johnson
Dean of Students
Southampton Academy, Courtland VA
“The kids really loved your anti bullying program, they really got the message! The teachers only had great things to say! It was a delight to have you here!”
Claire Menard
PTA President
Coral Springs Middle School,
Coral Springs FL
 
The most impactful and engaging youth presenter I have ever worked with! Keith is perfect if you are looking for virtual school assembly ideas.
Rodney Alaimo
Niagara County Youth Bureau
Niagara Falls, NY
 
“Thank you for coming out to Alaska and being so flexible. You were a big hit with the students and staff. Your message was awesome and the curriculum you provided will keep the positive momentum going!"
Chantel Black
Site administrator
Eek, Alaska
Thank you for coming to Bankbridge Regional School and speaking with our middle & high school students. Our students have both behavioral and mental health issues and can be a difficult group to work with the students loved and were inspired by your presentation but most of all appreciated your openness and honesty. I look forward to you coming back our school in the future.
Kenneth Kirkland,
CADC, CMHS, Anti Bullying Specialist
Bankbridge Regional School
Sewell, NJ