by Stephen Hammel

Created on: June 16, 2009

First and foremost, teachers must understand that there are multiple forms of bullying. Obviously, physical torment of students comes to mind, but the more sinister and subtle bullying happens behind the closed door of the classroom. This is often caused by a lack of leadership, poorly defined goals, and a failure to teach students positive decision-making skills.

Between classes, at recess, during lunch, and outside the halls of academia physical bullying is easily identified through intimidating actions, a puffing up of chests, a group congregating around a central figure who throws verbal insults toward another individual or group. This is bullying in its simplest form.

Young people often believe that theirs is a world separate and unrelated to the world in which they live. Often times, teachers can be seen walking among students, ignoring the social injustices that students hurl at each other. This only reinforces the behaviors as acceptable, tolerated, and unrelated to the social fabric of the school community.

Instead, teachers, administrators, hall monitors, security, and parents on campus all adults in the community must take the time and effort to confront these situations as they occur. Students must be made aware that they do not live behind the shield of youth, but rather are part of our society, our community, and our world. Breaking the window of apathy between adults and students by confronting the aggressors during the action lets young people see that their actions are not unnoticed, or tolerated by society at large. Not confronting the issue, even if it is only verbal teasing, is condoning it.

Inside the classroom, where the true damage of bullying has more long-lasting influence, teachers must adopt classroom policies that encourage discussion, debate, and participation from all students. Many times bullies will belittle the ideas of others. They'll say, You're stupid! or That's a dumb idea! when less outspoken students voice an opinion or make a suggestion. This type of comment must be met head-on by the teacher who is moderating the discussion. When policies are in place for demeaning comments toward other students, and a consequence is positioned for immediate implementation, students will tend to think before responding in hurtful ways.

A teacher who truly listens to students will know which of them are aggressive and which are passive. It has little to do with genetics, much to do with upbringing, and everything

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