Keith Deltano is an award-winning teacher, educational comedian, and curriculum creator. But it didn’t start out that way. He was retained in third grade because he was unable to read and was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and APD (Audio Processing Disorder). He did not fit in and was bullied as a result of being unable to do the simplest tasks, like work the combination on his school locker or recite the months of the year.

Deltano had some wonderful teachers in Connecticut, but at that time they did not have the medicines and teaching techniques they have now to deal with students with severe learning disabilities. By sixth grade, Deltano felt he would never get through school. He had bought the lie that he was not smart and would never be anything. Deltano used comedy as a coping mechanism. He believed what the students and even adults were implying through their comments, jokes, and exclusion: he may be funny and good at football, but he is not intelligent and will never go anywhere.

Deltano believes this is a tragedy that occurs over and over again in American schools. By middle school many students have accepted the lies that have been spoken into their lives: they are too poor, they are not smart enough, their family is dysfunctional, they are not pretty enough, they will never fit in, they are different, weird, other, they aren’t good enough, and on and on and on. Deltano makes it a big part of his show to convince students that they do not have to buy the lies others may be trying to sell. Deltano feels that many students have been bullied into a box, and he teaches them how to break it.

By high school, Deltano was depressed and involved in several self-destructive behaviors. At the beginning of his sophomore year, a guidance counselor told him he would never go to college and should take the minimum class requirements to graduate high school. Deltano believed it and the downward spiral continued. His parents were doing everything they could to keep him in school and on track, but things were getting out of control. He was approached by a football teammate that was concerned about his self-destructive behavior and encouraged him to reach out to his coaches. Deltano got help.

When conducting an anti-bullying assembly for high schools, Deltano talks about this experience. With high rates of teen depression, bulimia, anorexia, and teen suicide in the American high school population, Deltano believes it is essential to address these issues even though it may be uncomfortable to do so. When conducting his anti-bullying assembly for middle schools and high schools, he feels it is imperative that students know that help is available if they are dealing with bullying, depression, suicidal ideation, or any other addictions or forms of self-harm.

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