What can teachers do about classroom bullying?
Both seasoned and new teachers can develop and apply a repertoire of strategies that will help prevent, deter, and respond to classroom bullying and promote their academic mission. These strategies include: • Model behavior that is inclusive and promotes respect for all students. • Provide students with opportunities to talk about bullying and enlist their support in defining bullying as an unacceptable behavior. • Develop an action plan for what students are to do if they observe a bully or are confronted by a bully. • Share with students the responsibility for the classroom’s social and physical environment to reinforce acceptable behavior. • Post and publicize rules against bullying, including fair and consistent consequences for bullying. • Refer both the bully and his/her target to counseling. • Have students and parents sign behavior contracts consistent with written and communicated behavior codes for students, teachers, and staff. • Maintain constant monitoring of cafeterias, p
