(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — June 9, 2025) — El Paso ISD students received a powerful reminder of the strength in empathy, resilience, and healing during recent visits from national motivational speaker Fabian Ramirez.
Ramirez, who travels the country to speak with students about bullying prevention, visited several middle and high schools across El Paso ISD in May to share his personal journey. Drawing from his own experiences of being bullied by a gang member in middle school, Ramirez delivered a message of hope, healing, and empowerment.
“When I was in middle school, I was bullied by a gang member, and so one of the things I do is I go into schools and tell my story,” Ramirez said. “I talk about the negative emotions that I felt after that, and how I forgave the person who did that to me. My bully was actually a victim first.”
El Paso ISD prioritizes creating safe, inclusive environments where every student feels supported. Ramirez’s message aligns closely with the district’s emphasis on whole-child development—helping students build social-emotional skills that will guide them through life.
Students at campuses like Wiggs Middle School and others listened closely as Ramirez encouraged them not to internalize the pain caused by others.
“I remind students who are dealing with bullying that sometimes it’s never about them. It’s about the other person,” he said. “Every moment is an opportunity to bring healing into the lives of others.”
Ramirez also addressed the added pressures of cyberbullying in the digital age. He urged students to distinguish between "snitching" and reporting serious concerns.
“There’s a difference between snitching and reporting,” he told students. “When you report, you’re helping someone get the support they need.”
For students like Avery Martinez, a student at Wiggs Middle School, the message resonated deeply. “My message to those who might be getting bullied is to reach out to those people that you love,” she said. “They’ll always be there for you—and if they’re not, there will be others who are.”
Throughout his sessions, Ramirez reminded students that healing is not only possible—it’s powerful. “The one thing that used to hurt me, I now use to help other people,” he said.