Improving Anti-Bullying Training for Teachers. Krystie Ireland

What is Considered Bullying? “ Bullying is when a stronger, more powerful person frightens a smaller or weaker person on purpose or repeatedly.” “ Bullying is the intention or exclusion of targeted youth in activities, and unprovoked physical and verbal attacks.”

We feel victimized,” Wayne Harris writes in the journal

Girls VS. Boys: Both can be bullies but often in very different ways: Boys: 75% of physical bullying. Use Intimidation often. Girls: 22% of verbal bullying. Use Exclusion often.

School bullies taunted Phoebe Prince through text messages, the computer and on Facebook and other social networking sites, Smith told the Boston Herald."

How Big Is the Problem? Today, 1 in 7 students is either a bully or the victim of a bully. 5 million school age children K-8 have been effected by bullying. As many as 160,000 students stay home each day due to bullying.

Four Types of Bullying: Physical Emotional Verbal Cyber bullying

Who Does Bullying Effect in Schools? EVERYONE! Lose-Lose Situation Victims Bullys Teachers

Victims/ Targets of Bullying: Anxiety associated with the school environment. School Refusal Physical Symptoms Low Self Esteem

Students Who Bully: 25% of school bullies will be convicted of a criminal offense during adulthood. Lack Healthy ways to express emotion. No alternatives to aggression.

Effect on Teachers/ Schools: Higher Absenteeism. Compromised Student Achievment. Potential Law Suits Public’s View

Bullying Stats:

What Can We Do? Teachers/ Schools/District Wide Current Anti- Bullying initiative. Appoint a Bullying Prevention Coordinator. Raise Awareness.

Other Ideas: Programs that focus on the social environment of the school. Programs where it is not the sole responsibility of an administrator, teacher or counselor.

CERTIFICATION: Olweus: OBPP TOT Part 1: TOT Part 2: Phone Consultation Training Material/Worksheets

Increasing Teacher Training Can Reduce Bullying.

Summary: Bullying effects everyone. A Collaborative Approach is Best. Information/ Training for Teachers benefits everyone!

Reference: Davis, Stan, (2009) How Should Staff Respond to Bullying Behavior? Stop Bullying Now! Holt, M.K.& Keyes, M.A. (2004). Teachers’ attitudes toward bullying. Bullying in American Schools. (p. 121-139)

Reference Olweus, D. (1993) Bullying at School: What we Know and what we can do. Cambrigde, MA:Blackwell. Public Agenda, (2004) Teaching Interrupted. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from www.publicagenda.org 2009. Running a District-wide anti-bully initiative. NoBully.www.nobully.com/districts.html