How can I create a bully-free school environment?
-
Adult intervention is one of the best defenses against bullying. Educators can first learn the warning signs as well as the myths of bullying, especially of social bullying, which research indicates is more difficult for adults to identify than other forms of bullying. Educators can intervene when they see bullying occur and can send a clear message that the school does not tolerate bullying. Some steps that schools can take to ensure a bully-free school environment include the following: (1) identify where and when bullying occurs; (2) train all school personnel to recognize bullying; (3) increase adult supervision at campus "hot spots"; (4) create an anti-bullying task force charged with educating students and staff; and (5) integrate anti-bullying materials into curriculum for discussion and role-play. Educators can use staff meetings, assemblies, parent conferences, and most importantly daily interactions with students to establish a culture of acceptance, tolerance and respect.
- Training Resources
- Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms. This training toolkit is made up of two modules to address bullying in classrooms. Specifically, it is designed to assist teachers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate in the classroom.
- Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment on Our Nation's School Buses. This training toolkit is made up of two modules to address bullying on school buses. Specifically, it is designed to assist school bus drivers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate on the bus.
- Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms. This training toolkit is made up of two modules to address bullying in classrooms. Specifically, it is designed to assist teachers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate in the classroom.
- StopBullying.gov
- National School Safety Center: Bullying in Schools
- Bullying for Educators (podcast)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Hamilton Fish: The 411 on Bullying (PDF, 953KB)
- The ABCs of Bullying: Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression (curriculum)
- National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Anti-bullying curriculum for K-12 students (enter "bullying" as the keyword)
- Bullying programs - OJJDP Model Programs Guide
- Training Resources