Is it hard to get out of bed in the morning because you fear going to school?

Not because of a test or a pop quiz but because someone is harassing you for no reason? If someone repeatedly teases or calls you names, spreads rumors about you or kicks or hits you, then you are a victim of a bully.

Don't let bullies get the best of you. There are ways to defend yourself and to stop a bully in his tracks.

"Bullies act out because they have an inferior complex. They have low self-esteem so they try to make themselves feel better by attacking other people and putting other people down," said Noah Maurer, counselor at Central Elementary School at Mason Consolidated Schools in Erie. "I'm sure some of it has something to do with their home environment and they're responding the wrong way to try and get help."

Bullying can snowball into bigger problems down the road.

"It starts with teasing, mostly verbal. Sometimes they will have their friends join in and then it becomes a numbers game. How many people can they get on their side compared to the others," Mr. Maurer said. "Occasionally, it can become physical. They will kick, punch or chase other kids around the playground."

He added that bullying usually begins in fourth or fifth grade and progressively gets worse as they get older if the problem is not resolved immediately.

Actions of bullies have consequences. Their mean behavior toward other kids results in discipline at school and at home. Bullies also lose friends because of their rude behavior.

"The consequences of being a bully at our schools results in recess detention or after-school detention," Mr. Maurer said. "We have a no-tolerance policy on bullies. It is absolutely not tolerated."

Never-ending teasing could have lasting affects.

"Kids who are bullied are more emotionally affected than physically," he said. "I believe it's more emotionally damaging in the long-term."

There are ways to fight back without resorting to violence.

"We encourage kids who are being bullied to stand up for themselves and let the bully know that they don't want to be a part of it. Tell them if they do it again, they'll tell an adult," he said.

Besides disciplining students who misbehave, Mason Schools is also implementing a bullying preventative program. The basic premise is to give students outlets, such as talking to teachers, counselors and principals. Playground aids also patrol the area where students play during recess. "Recess is usually where the biggest problem is because there's more freedom to do something," he said.

Mr. Maurer also plans on visiting classrooms to teach a curriculum based on bully prevention.

"In the lesson plan, I want to talk more about prevention. How to handle the situation and what you should do," he said. "We are facilitating smaller groups for kids struggling with social skills or anger management or even divorce. A lot of these issues come out as bullies on the playground."

Bullies usually act out due to their feelings of insecurity, anger or loneliness.

"Sometimes, some of the bullies are struggling academically so we implemented an after-school tutoring program that seems to be helping. They are starting to feel good about their academics as well, which helps their self-esteem," said Mr. Maurer, who worked at Boysville of Michigan for nine years.

Mr. Maurer believes that it takes a total team effort to stop bullying. Teachers, counselors, principals and fellow students, who witness bullying, can all play a part in putting an end to the torment. He is pleased with the way Mason Schools is following through.

"Teachers are doing a good job by incorporating curriculum surrounding good character, good attributes and what it means to be a good person. All the teachers here do an excellent job in teaching friendship skills and social skills in the classroom. That definitely helps with bully prevention," he said. "Since (principal) Sharon Brighton has been here, she has done a good job implementing discipline and structure. That makes a big difference."

Even though school is a learning environment, it is also meant to be fun; not terrifying. Don't let a bully get in your way of enjoying lunch with your buddies and having fun on the playground. Take a stand. Defend yourself by telling an adult and soon you will be enjoying your school experience once again!