THANKS TERESA, AND MARY ELLEN

I’m proud to introduce a new contributing writer who has plenty to say.

Mary Ellen Griffith, a middle school teacher and author, debuts with a pointed column about the menace of online bullying.

I shudder to think where I’d be if cyber bullying existed 40 years ago, but dead by my own hand is a possibility.

I was the ultimate bully magnet. I wore glasses and had terrible acne. And my parents forbid fighting — under any circumstances.

They should have taped a “Kick Me” sign to my back.

I spent a lot of time looking over my shoulder, chatting up teachers, and rushing in and out of restrooms after word got out that I wouldn’t fight back.

All that maneuvering only delayed the inevitable, the day a Neanderthal named Brian caught me alone. Two fists to the stomach, a punch to the face, two to the back of the head, and a kick in the ribs. I didn’t get up until he left.

There wasn’t a rematch; just lots of verbal abuse from a few wannabe tough guys.

Most kids are pretty decent. Unfortunately, most are afraid to stand up to a bully. Not many have the character of Teresa Kommans.

I was sweet on Teresa, and even though she treated me well, I knew I had no chance. She was beautiful; I was not. She thought about college boys, not high school wimps.

She was also fearless. But I didn’t realize it until I was embarrassed by Chris Holman, a crude football player we secretly referred to as “Bumpers” because he had big lips. No one dared call him “Bumpers” to his face.

We were discussing possible topics for a two-page yearbook spread when Chris blurted, “How about Corsair’s zits?!” Of course, I wanted to die. But then, a split second later, a voice from the back of the room shouted, “Or we could do a spread on your lips, but we’d need more than two pages!” I turned to see Teresa, fire in her eyes and hands on her hips, as she endured a string of obscenities.

I’ve stood up for the abused, neglected, and overlooked ever since. Thank you, Teresa. And I’ve taught my children.

Of course, your kid would never bully a classmate. The problem child always belongs to someone else. I hope you’re right, but why not make sure. Know what your kids are texting and posting online. Be a Mary Ellen Griffith. Or a Teresa Kommans.

Until next time,

Gary Corsair Executive Editor

Sources: “How to Remove the Skunk Smell from Dogs,” by Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com. dogs.about.com/od/caringfordogsandpupp ies/ht/deskunking.htm; “Get Rid of skunk odor: Myths and Facts,” by Lisa Jo Lupo, About.com pestcontrol.about.com/od/ diyanimalcontrol/a/Get-Rid-Of-Skunk-Odor-Myths-And-Facts.htm; “How to Remove Skunk Odor.” New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. njspca.org/articles/NJSPCA_articles_how-remove-skunk-odor.htm; “Skunks and Your Pet.” Village Veterinar y Practice. villageveterinary.com/deskunking.htm; “Help! My Dog’s Been Skunked!!” Dog Breed Info. dogbreedinfo.com/skunk.htm (Acc essed April 28, 2014)