Bullying: advice for teachers.
Prevention is essential to ensure the safety of schools. Many schools implement anti-bullying programs and initiatives, but not all schools are created equal. A school that has dedicated staff and many resources may be able to take a stronger stance against bullying than a school that has only recently begun to implement these measures. And it is even more difficult if the school does not have, nor does it want to have, an active policy to combat bullying.
If you live in a school where bullying has become a bigger problem than it should be, here are some tips to help you prevent it from happening at least in your classroom:
Get informed
If you are not familiar with current anti-bullying laws or programs, you may be doing more harm than good. Stay informed about the causes and effects of bullying. There are many great websites available to teachers – many offer free anti-bullying resources and information. You might be surprised at how many anti-bullying resources you can find with just a little research. An understanding of current laws and policies can help you resolve situations that might otherwise be misinterpreted. Understanding what is acceptable and what is not can help you better respond to situations that may arise.
Create a culture of respect
Respect is a two-way street. Respect students and they will respect you. Use positive reinforcements. If a student vents, regardless of what you think, support them, don’t use sarcasm, ignore them, or express an opinion on the topic without verifying its veracity. Condescending comments that make a student feel stupid and shatter their self-confidence. This doesn’t help anyone and can only lead to more problems. Respect students’ rights. The law protects students’ right to be heard, to express themselves and to have an opinion. It should not be assumed that you know what these students think or believe.
Monitoring student behavior
There are several places you can check to get a better idea of what’s going on at your school if you have any suspicions. You can talk to any student who is willing to tell you the truth, especially class delegates. Ask them who is being bullied and, if so, who is doing it. Talk to the other teachers in the class, they may be able to tell you what is going on or have the same suspicions as you. If students silently withhold information about what is happening between them, they may try to ignore the situation or fear retaliation.
Make it clear that bullying is not an option.
If your school doesn’t have an anti-bullying policy, try talking to other teachers about creating a more detailed policy, such as banning bullying under all circumstances, banning cyberbullying, and outlining consequences for violating student rights. In case it is not possible at such a comprehensive level, do it at the class level.
Choose a time during class once a month to reinforce anti-bullying. That bullying has no place, class. No one should be treated differently because of who they are. There is no acceptable reason to harass, threaten or intimidate anyone. Intimidation is never acceptable. Insist and make it clear that bullying is not allowed in your classroom by creating a classroom-wide policy and enforcing it. A class-wide policy sends a strong message that bullying is not allowed and encourages other students to report any incidents. A policy can be as simple as having a sign in the classroom that says, “Students should not bully others.”
Understand the signs of bullying
– Increased time spent on the playground, in the bathrooms, etc… If a student begins to systematically delay entering class, he may be intimidated by others. Either because they involuntarily slow him down or because he is waiting for the bullies to retreat to their classrooms so as not to cross paths with them.
– a student who seems sad or withdrawn,
– a student who does not want to go to school,
– a student who has bruises, cuts or other injuries,
– a student who has lost interest in schoolwork,
If a student is acting differently than before, it is important to check in with them and make sure everything is okay. If you are concerned about a student, approach with caution and try not to jump to conclusions. Behavioral change not only means they could be bullied, they could be bullied.
Sometimes all it takes is a change in the family dynamics of a well-behaved student, a serious argument between parents, a divorce, etc… for the student to rebel and «let off steam» on his schoolmates.
Respond immediately to reports of bullying
Bullying isn’t just a problem in student hallways. Bullying can also happen at home or online. If you are aware of a bullying situation taking place you must act immediately. If a student is being cyberbullied or is being bullied at home, you should notify school administration, the Safe School Program PSP, or Child Protective Services. If a student is being physically bullied, you need to intervene immediately. It is never safe for someone to be targeted, whatever the circumstances. Bullying can be especially dangerous for students with special needs. If you know of a student who is being bullied for any reason, you need to intervene.
Conclusion
Bullying is and will increasingly be a serious problem in schools. Many people have tried to solve it, but it is not easy to find the right solution. It is important that you teachers know how to recognize bullying and intervene before it turns into violence. You are society’s role model and often the first line of defense when it comes to bullying. Bullying is a problem that cannot be solved overnight, however an active and preventive role on your part will certainly be a valid help for which students will be grateful.
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