What Is the Urgency?
Bullying has become more prevalent and more violent across the U.S. It can not only hinder academic performance but also damage a child’s social and emotional trajectory, which can lead to depression or even suicide. Bullying can cause truancy and serious emotional problems. In fact, it is such a big issue in the U.S. that policymakers have written laws requiring immediate responses to bullying in all 50 states.
Recognize and Respond
One way to stop bullying is by learning how to recognize and respond to it. All education stakeholders, including students, teachers, administrators, parents, caregivers and other community members, need explicit instruction regarding what bullying looks like and how to intervene appropriately. Introducing adult monitors to vacant areas and training students in intervention can significantly reduce instances of bullying.
Talk About It
The safer students feel talking about bullying, the less it will occur. Often, teachers promote positive psychology as a way to think about school culture differently. This approach specifically teaches acts of kindness as a means to avoid bullying or end it altogether. There are many ways to create this open culture, which is often a topic of study in advanced degree programs. Teachers who earn a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership degree can offer their schools transformational professional development regarding this culture and how to sustain it.
Create an Upstander Culture
Students learn not to be a bystander in difficult situations, but do they know how to be an upstander? An upstander is someone who puts the victim first and helps stop bullying by saying something to the bully, getting the victim away from the bully or finding an adult who can help. Students who learn to stand up for others will develop more empathy, which further fosters a culture of kindness.
Support Safety and Inclusion
Teachers and schools need to foster environments that support safety and inclusion. A culture that respects and celebrates everyone allows children to see differences as positive rather than negative. There are many courses in the curriculum for a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership degree program that can help teachers understand how to teach their students to appreciate diversity, and schools that honor this culture are places where students can learn without fear.
Keep Bullying at the Forefront
Often, schools dedicate a few weeks to bullying awareness and instruction, but other topics eventually intervene and life goes on as before. It is important to keep bullying at the forefront of everyone’s attention so that it does not make its way back into school. The following are three ways to sustain this positive psychology culture all year long:
- Schoolwide awareness: acts of kindness week, community collaboration day.
- Support groups: people students know they can talk to about bullying.
- Curriculum: include bullying as a topic in guidance classes.
Learn more about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program.
Sources:
Edutopia: 5 Ways to Stop Bullying and Move Into Action
Edutopia: Why Teaching Kindness Is Essential to Reduce Bullying
