Bullying is such a hot topic in education now. I hear kids throwing the word around in daily conversations. I hear parents complaining that things are worse in schools now than when they were in school. I hear teachers and administrators trying to brainstorm solutions for how to handle the problem in our classrooms and on our playgrounds.The biggest addition to the bullying problem, is the addition of technology. My students frequently come to me complaining about harassing text messages and emails they receive from their peers.
I know teachers and other school staff are doing their best to keep kids safe while they are at school, keeping eyes on during unstructured time such as time between classes and recess/lunch. The kids that are doing the bullying are sneaky and not easy to catch. Also, there isn’t much that can be done when things occur outside of school through technology.
We all have heard the horror stories of the child who commits suicide as a result of the torment they undergo daily from these bullies. As a teacher, I feel like I am in the position where I could make a true different in the life of the child being bullied, but I feel severely underprepared for such a role. I know that school needs to be a safe place for kids to grow and learn so that they can develop into successful members of society.
I wish that I could say that I have all the answers and can fix the bullying problem in our schools. I can offer little more than a dedication and a desire to learn more and make changes in my school.
Have you been trained to identify and to stop bullying? Have the students in your school been coached how to deal with a bully?
ReplyDeleteThis topic is a sensitive one to me because one of my kids was caught bullying another a couple times. It was so distressing for me, especially when the other child's mother called me and threatened to call the police. Fortunately, the school and their teacher and the parents (me) all worked together, and now the boys are friends (months later).
This is a critical piece of a new part of the curriculum that we have to deal with...sometimes called "digital citizenship" and essential at all levels. Really not a lot new...but now more compelling given the stakes with technology. And the fact that kids think they are anonymous online when they are not. Don't we have to get kids involved in accepting responsibility for cyber-bullying...the kind of intervention that Kathy mentioned she had to doz>
ReplyDeleteThis is a hot topic right now. I think many districts say they are dealing with bullying in some new way that will stop it forever, but that is a lot of talk. Teaching kids to stop bullying is ineffective. I have had the opportunity to hear a gentleman (can't recall the name) from the Maine Attorney General's office speak to middle schoolers speak twice, and both times he has conveyed a simple and eloquent message. He teaches kids that the only people that can stop bullying are students themselves. We try to teach kids that we'll help them in any way we can, but ultimately the students are the bullying "police."
ReplyDeleteAs I'm sure you all know, 8th grade girls have their share of daily drama. I help coach softball and we told our girls to be respectful and civil or they were off the team. Softball being a spring sport, academically we were gearing up for our student led conferences. The students keep these all 4 years they are at our school. One of my students who was having issues with another girl found an essay she wrote in 5th grade about her best friend (the girl she was currently fighting with). She read it and laughed about the situation, remembering that the other girl did have good qualities too. I think the most important message to send to all kids at an early age is acceptance. You don't need to be best friends, but find at least something good in everyone. Our civil rights team did a great demonstration on accepting everyone's individualism. Sarah, see your school's team can become more active leaders.
ReplyDeleteSarah--you're right, these kids that bully are hard to catch. As a teacher, you sometimes have a feeling that something is happening that's not quite right, but can't catch them. You confront the child that you think is being bullied, only to be met with denial. As many people are aware, Ellsworth High School had a "fight club" off school grounds and after school. It was only until a few kids were brave and told teachers that we were aware of what is going on. I think we can try all we want to get bullying to stop--but much of it comes down to parents taking the responsibility to make it stop, and not take on the attitude that "kids will be kids."
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