Say no to bullying. From day one, teachers need to take a firm stand against bullying. Work with students to design and implement a set of classroom or school rules that prohibits all forms of bullying, including name-calling and physical violence. Talk through these various forms of bullying and how they can negatively affect students. Ensure that students are aware of the consequences for breaking a rule.
Respond to every incident. Be a visible presence in areas like hallways and bathrooms as these are the places that bullying is most likely to occur. Don't allow any incident to go unnoticed or unpunished and never normalize an incident with a phrase like "sticks and stones," or "kids will be kids." This informs bullies that their behaviour will not be accepted and makes students feel safer in school.
Teach students how to safely intervene. Instead of students standing around and witnessing an incident of bullying, encourage them to seek a teacher and report it straightaway. Inform students that negative repercussions, like physical violence, will not occur as the school will protect them. Praise students who report an incident to help them feel god about what they have done.
Speak to the bully. Take the bully to one side and report your observations or those of the witness. Try to understand the motivation behind the act. Have the bully and the victim agree about how future interactions will be conducted to avoid further incidences of bullying and to promote positive interaction.
Focus on conflict resolution. Ensure that angry students have an opportunity and a designated space to cool down. Avoid labelling behaviour as "right" or "wrong" and encourage bullies and victims to talk through their feelings in their own words. Practice and demonstrate these skills in the classroom with scenario activities.
Work with parents. Increase parental awareness of bullying through phone calls, school newsletters and PTA meetings. Encourage parents to verbally support school rules and intervention strategies to their children. If a parent feels that their child may be at risk of bullying or reports an incident of name-calling or violence, be sure to investigate the claim.