Identifying and Addressing Bullying in Schools

Myth: Bullying is a rite of passage for children, and nothing can be done about it.

Reality: There are things you can do to help prevent further suffering of students.

This article looks at how to address bullying in schools, how to address bullying in the classroom and how to handle bullying as a teacher.

Can you identify bullying?

Bullying can take many forms, but at the heart of it, for a behavior to be considered bullying, at least two of the three behaviors must be occurring:

• Unwanted, targeted, aggressive behavior. It doesn’t need to be extreme; for example, purposely staring down a classmate from across the room can be used to intimidate.
• Repetition — Bullying occurs over time between the same perpetrator(s) and victim(s). Repetition is a critical aspect of bullying, as it differentiates bullying behaviors from other types of peer abuse.
• Power imbalance — A real or perceived power imbalance between the perpetrator and their target must exist. This imbalance may come from physical strength or size, age, position within a peer group, or social status.

Who is getting bullied, and where?

1 in 5 students experience bullying nationwide in a year. Trends show us that bullying is most likely to occur in places not monitored frequently by adults, such as hallways and online. Schools need to protect all students against bullying. However, the students most targeted have differences in the following characteristics: physical appearance, race, gender, ability, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.² These students may need additional protections.

How to Address Bullying in Classrooms

Students spend most of their school day in the classroom, so it makes sense that it is the second most common place for bullying to occur.² Here are some good practices to reduce bullying in the classroom.

1. Talk openly about bullying

Teach students what bullying is (see above) and is not, such as an argument. Explore student’s ideas about prevention. Bullying thrives in secrecy and can become a hidden problem for students. But, if teachers discuss it openly and honestly with their students, the bullying can be addressed.

2. Be visible in the classroom

It is common to have adults present in the hallways, stairwells and lunchrooms. However, being attentive and visible in the classroom is also important.

3. Look for indicators of bullying brewing

Do not dismiss subtle forms of bullying, such as laughing at one student’s expense, aggressive staring and exclusion. These can grow over time if unchecked.

4. Build relationships with students

Show an interest in them that is not based on academics. One caring adult can change the trajectory of a student who is being bullied.

5. Mix up groups frequently

This helps prevent cliques from forming in the classroom and allows students to meet other students outside their regular friend group.

How to handle bullying as a teacher

As a teacher, you may be the first adult students come to if they are bullied. If bullying is disclosed to you by a student:

• Try to be a calm, safe presence;
• Take the concern seriously, and let the student know you will try to help them. If students confide in a teacher and nothing happens, they are less likely to trust adults and feel safe at school.
• Let them lead the discussion; don’t push for details. Focus on listening;
• As a mandated reporter, you must know who to report bullying and school violence to;
• Follow up with the students by checking in with them regularly and providing resources and support;
• And avoid discussing the situation with other students or staff members unless it is necessary to do so to provide support for the student.

Bullying is a problem, but it can get better. As educators, it is vital to remain vigilant for bullying and violence at school. Knowing how to address bullying at school and how to handle bullying as a teacher can go a long way to ending the problem for children.