How can a caring adult work with a bully?
First, it is generally not effective to talk to bullies as a group. The setting and composition of the group may reinforce negative, aggressive behavior and create new struggles for power and status among peers. If more than one student is suspected of bullying, speaking to each student separately is more effective and more appropriate. How an adult can work with a bully largely depends on what motivates the student to bully in the first place. The caring adult must be prepared to invest time and energy in forming a relationship with the student who bullies. A relationship with a caring adult may be the experience the bully needs to examine and change behavior. Conversations with the student who bullies will help in the following ways: • Whether a bullying problem needs to be addressed will be validated. • Options for an appropriate course of action will be identified. • The conversations show a caring adult who is interested and wants to help. • Communication opens up options to refer
