Bully

Over 13 million American kids will be bullied this year, making it the most common form of violence experienced by young people in the nation. The documentary film Bully, directed by Sundance- and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, looks at how bullying has affected the lives of five kids and their families, including 12-year-old Alex of Sioux City, Iowa. The film documents how teachers and school administrators respond to aggressive behaviors that defy "kids will be kids" cliches and captures a growing movement among parents and young people to change how bullying is handled in schools, communities and society as a whole.

State Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell will provide brief, opening remarks. Associate Professor of Education Warren Blumenfeld will lead a discussion following the 94-minute film that will include Ames Middle School Principal Pam Stangeland and Heartland AEA trainers Karolyn Zeller and Brandi Gean.