The Bullying Business

Article written for the Fort Bend Business Journal by Barbara Magana Robertson

The days of school yard bullying have grown far beyond the playground. With the start of the school year just weeks away, school districts, child care providers and parents are preparing to face this growing issue. Cyber bullying, threatening text messages and sexting are some of the real issues that plague students of all ages. The retaliations due to bullying have made headline news across the nation. There is no community that is left untouched by these modern day terrors. A real need for proper training of our school educators, child care providers and parents is essential to being able to combat bullying and other pestilent concerns. Appelbaum Training Institute, located in Sugar Land, is a pioneer and a true leader in training educators and parents in an array of issues that face today’s youth. Appelbaum Training Institute (ATI) provides the skills and the knowledge to help students of all ages cope with these rising concerns.

The Appelbaum training Institute was founded by Maryln and Marty Appelbaum. Maryln has been a trailblazer in the child care industry for decades. Her vast experience comes from being a teacher, an administrator, a therapist, a consultant and an author. She, along with her son, Marty, have grown their business to reach more than 50,000 parents and educators annually through their seminars, workshops, and books. “We are committed to giving the proper training and really being able to help the children and the teens that may be facing these perils of life,” says Dr. Appelbaum. “That is what we do, we are difference makers.”

The seminars cover a wide range of topics and tackle real issues such as disciplinary concerns while also offering guidance on other matters. Putting a stop to bullying, getting kids to listen and teaching parents and teachers how to achieve respect, balance love and limits, and how to talk to kids so they listen, are just a few of the many topics covered in the seminars. Both Maryln and Marty work together as a team at their events. The harmony that is struck between mother and son is solid and filled with a plethora of information for the participants. Maryln shares, “From infants toddlers, all the way up to high school kids, we teach them the tools that they need to work most effectively to be the best parent or best teacher.” The Appelbaums’ have created an entertaining learning experience including interactive role playing and training videos to enhance their seminars. The intoxicating laugh of Maryln is addicting and is a constant at their seminars. Participants at their seminars not only learn but they find themselves enjoying the experience.

Maryln has shared her knowledge over the years by writing more than 30 “how to” books. Each book has given both parents and educators the foundation to implement into their own personal circumstances. Just buy the book titles you can identify with, something going on in your own life….”How to Handle the Hard to Handle Student”, “No More Biting”, “No More Tattling”. Also as author, Maryln has address social matters such as Autism, Literacy and Child Abuse in several of her books. For several years now Maryln’s book, “How to Talk to Kids So They Will Listen” has been a bestseller. She has written two books on bullying, and this fall she continues her mission to bring awareness to bullying, cyber bullying, and sexting with her pending book release.

According to Maryln, “Bullying has always been around, but it is growing due to today’s kids who are ‘all about me’ kids.” “They are used to getting what they want, and some enjoy hurting other kids.” She advocates that bullying must be addressed, dealt with and stopped. “Parents need to be involved ...one on one time with their children, whether they are pre-k kids to high school students….start with the counselor, go to principal…take it to law enforcement” says Maryln.

Marty has led the company to being awarded one of the best small companies to work in Houston three times. He and Maryln are a “dynamic duo” leading their company to make a difference. Marty says, “Our goal is to reach every parent and educator we can and give them solid information they can immediately implement so they see immediate results.”

Maryln and Marty have taken their seminars, books, and expertise and turned it into accessible products through the use of social media. Everything they teach can be found on their web site. On-line courses for C.E.U.’s and clock hours, training tools and videos, teacher appreciation gifts and other merchandise are all available at your fingertips. Maryln sends out a daily electronic teaching message to over 50,000 recipients. In her messages she covers a remarkable range of topics and gives a meaningful tip to apply to real life scenarios. Also, ATI and Maryln use both facebook and twitter as platforms to share their techniques. The Appelbaum’s have made it their business to keep up with the latest in State regulations around the Country. Most States accept their books and continuing education courses as clocked study hours. Pending child care legislation in Texas in regards to staffing to child ratio is a heated topic. “More staff, means more money for the parents to pay…we should really focus on proper training” expresses Maryln.

School bells will be ringing soon, and hallways will be filled with kids who will not only be dealing with the stresses of a passing grade but also the struggles of their own generation. Maryln has given simple rules to make the school year go by without discourse “As a parent or teacher, listen, make yourself available, pay attention to the body language of your children, and do your best.” For information on Appelbaum Training Institute visit their website at http://www.atiseminars.org/.