Actions or the lack of them speak loudly to students. Students quickly figure out what Teacher #1 will tolerate and what Teacher #2 will not.
Some of the effective things that schools can do are very obvious but often overlooked. Harassment is not likely to happen in the classroom with a teacher a few feet away. Where does it happen?
- Hallway
- Bus
- Bathrooms
- Locker area
- Lunchroom
- Locker room
Possible Solutions
- Teachers may walk students to lunch. If there is a problem either verbally or physically, that person goes to the end of the line. They may also be the last to leave the lunchroom after lunch.
- The student causing the problem could also be made to leave a classroom 20 seconds after everyone else has left giving the rest of the students a head start. The student will then have little time to bully because of a potential tardy.
- Assigned seating in the lunchroom can be very painful for students. Have this in place long enough to drive home the fact that respectful behavior is expected. Set a time limit and then allow them freedom to choose. If they abuse the freedom, back to the seating arrangement.
- Separate the bully from the target student physically by switching sections or changing class schedules.
- Be consistent as a teacher. If this is harassment all of the time, the same action should follow all of the time.
- Assigned seats on the bus may be necessary to separate personalities that do not get along. Bus driver has seating arrangement and students are to remain in those spots. A bus monitor may be needed to keep students in their places.
- If the bully has problems in the bathroom, he or she may be allowed to use the bathroom at an appointed time accompanied by a teacher. This would be when the bathroom is not being used by other students.
- The school has a right to pull a bully off the bus. Bus transportation is not a right.
- If another bus could be used, put the student causing the problem with older students. They are less likely to be a problem when surrounded by "larger" and "older" students.
- Lunch in the principal's office or teacher's classroom can solve a lunchroom problem.
- Request that the problem student work with the school counselor. The counselor may be able to help the student understand how the actions are hurtful, practice positive behavior, and impliment a motivational program. Teach proper behaviors and reinforce new actions with praise.
- Lastly, punitive measures which would include detentions, parent meetings, in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions. These would be the last resort. Many students do not respond to punishment. I find that the positive approach works better.
This is only a beginning. Teamwork and communication among staff is key to stopping harassment.
Bullying and the Home will give ideas on what to do in the home if bullying is a problem.
Related articles:
The Fourth Born in the Classroom
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
The copyright of the article Bullying: The School in Educational Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish Bullying: The School must be granted by the author in writing.
