Is there disruption to the education of a class caused by bullying behaviour?
970541
There is no question in my mind that bullies who intimidate other students cause those students to be so fearful that they cannot keep their mind on their studies. If they are disruptive in class, of course the teacher has to take his or her time to correct the problem - time which should have been spent teaching the class.\n\ns
476910
You are being bullied.\nDo not put up with it.\nBy-pass your teacher and go to a senior teacher or the Principal.\nIf it is not easy to get to see either of these people to arrange a meeting, then make a request by letter - you could hand it to the secretary to pass on.\nMake sure you use the word 'bullied' in your request.\nYour parents could help you to sort this out with the school, though you sound strong enough to do it for yourself.\nI hope you solve the problem soon.\n\n**ADDITIONAL**\nIf the school will not help, you could appeal to the Superintendant of Schools for your area. There will probably be a website something like 'www.weymouth.ma.gov/schools'. Do not give in; make a fuss. You might also consider threatening litigation against the school for not protecting you.
1142347
How long has your friend been jealous of you?  You're entitled to be hurt and annoyed, but if a straight forward request of your friend to please stop doesn't work, then perhaps this friends should seek other company.  Do not respond in a like manner - how do two wrongs make a right?  Do not expect your teachers to get involved unless you're in actual physical jeapardy from this "bully".  Sounds to me more like jealousy, not bullying.  I'd feel sorry for this "friend".  And probably distance myself from him as well.
255543
Well... just ignore it is good advice although hard to follow considering how long you have to spend at school. Everyone who gets picked on gets worn down by it sooner or later - ignoring is hard work! \n\nDo those who you have told include teachers? There have been some interesting cases lately in which schools have got into trouble for not taking action on bullying, they ought to have an anti-bullying policy in place which should be implemented. Unfortunately it can make it worse, at least temporarily, if you tell on the people who pick on you, but if you are brave enough it is the best way to get it sorted in the end. Tried ringing childline? I never did but it would've been a good plan in hindsight.\n\nYou need to find others who are going through similar stuff so that you can support each other. When you realise there are other cool people who get picked on you feel a hell of a lot better about yourself. Go find some people with similar interests to you.\n\nI got picked on at school, and at the end of the day it might make you weaker in the short term, but stronger in the long term, and you will reach a point in the future when you really don't give a shit any more. It's not your fault and it shouldn't happen. Hang on in there and fight for your right to be yourself and not be given any hassle about it.
87904
I'd assume in a violent school, students would be slightly less open to avoid conflict, and thus, would avoid socializing more as well as hindering adaptation to their new environment.
1092142
Yes! There are too many students who believe that Thug Life is proper behavior for school; and because the states/parents have tied the hands of teachers by relieving them of disciplinary strategies, some students think it's a ticket to a fun house where they can do anything they want to without repercussions.
866231
Yes, I have been bullied off and on through my years of schooling. It makes me feel realy bad when someone talks bad about me. Especially when it's someone that you're related to or good friends with. I never bully anyone because I know how it feels to be bullied.
205758
Yes. When you "manage" a class, you have to deal with your students both on your level as teacher and on their level as well. Guidance comes into play when you model behavior or give them prompts to help them come up with an answer. Any time you are redirecting, focusing, or encouraging a child to do something, you are guiding that child. Unfortunately, not enough teachers take a psycho-social approach to teaching, so that when problems arise, they are stuck as to what is going on with the child. When I was a one on one assistant in a classroom, I always asked my student to "check-in" with me, this allowed him to tell me if he was having a hard time or needed a breather (he had Aspergers Syndrome). I would consider guidance to be ESSENTIAL to classroom management.
447861
i think it is disgusting that teachers behave like this instead of setting standards higher - and being a role model. Instead, they feel they have to be one of the gang - creepy if you ask me.
914381
You are right about being bullied.  You need to go and talk to someone you trust at the school who wields some power and have this behaviour stopped.  If it makes you feel any better this boy probably has been mistreated during his life and this is the only way that he knows to behave for attention.  Having said this you do NOT allow him or anyone else to victimize you or anyone else.  By staying silent you are as guilty as the bully.  Put a stop to this right now and speak up.
371848
The general advice given out is don't suffer in silence.\n\nThe best thing you can do is to tell someone who can do something about it. Bullying needs to be stopped at the earliest possible point. \n\nCheck out http://www.bullying.co.uk/children/pupil_advice.htm for some practical advice on how to stop the bullying.\n\nPlease remember that you are not alone.
1124412
Rules are a pain because they need enforcing and children expect that they will be enforced exactly the same way for each student.  What I found more helpful was to use the school's Code of Behaviour and to discuss and reinforce it regularly.  Then, any situation that arose could be dealt with from that perspective..\n\nIn one school where I worked, the Code of Behaviour had four points and, sorry, I can only remember three of them - (not necessarily in order):\n- always do your best work,\n- keep your hands and feet to yourself,\n- treat everyone with respect.\n\nThese seemed to cover any situation that arose.  For example, if a student wears t-shirts that have offensive slogans on them, the discussion will be around respect.
525743
You didn't explain exactly what is happening, so it is difficult to give a specific response.  If a teacher is bullying a child, it is a serious situation, and unfortunately it happens more often that we who are, or have been, educators, would care to admit.  anyone can be a bully, including a teacher.\n\nThe best scenario would be if you could calmly talk to the teacher, explain what is happening and how it is affecting the child, and give an opportunity for the teacher to change - but not weeks, only days.  If that doesn't work, then the next step is the principal.  The principal is the person who has most chance of doing something about this.  \nAgain, it is key that you maintain your calm and composure.  You probably won't be taken seriously if you are upset, angry, etc., even if you have every right to be.\n\nI'm not sure how old the child is, but is he old enough to write dowm what has happened?  If so, that might be the next step.  I would get the child to do that, describe the incidents that have happened in his own words as he understands them, in a letter to the principal, copied to the teacher in question.  The teacher has to receive a copy of the letter.  That makes it official and it has to be addressed.   \n\nIf at all possible, I'd have the child in any meeting between parent, teacher and principal.  Prepare the child to be there, to be able to tell what happened even with the teacher there.  Bring an impartial advocate with you if you feel you would need that support.  If the child is not in the meeting, there is only the teacher to describe the situation with no one to really say, "But I was there and that is not what happened."  An alternative might be to videotape the child telling his version of the events.\n\nThere are always at least three sides to any story - the child's version, the teacher's version, and the correct version.  So keep that in mind.  The real truth may be hidden somewhere in the emotion of the whole situation, but it is also possible that the child's version is mostly the truth.\n\nYou might also want to discretly seek out other parents to see if anyone else is aware of what is happening.  If a taecher is being a bully, everyone in the class knows it.  Actually, if the teacher is being a bully, most likely everyone in the school knows it, or at least has a sense of it.  If you have more than one parent or child making a complaint, it will be taken more seriously.  But still make yhour complaints through channels - teacher first, then principal if at all possible.\n\nIs there a counselor at the school?  Could you and the child bring this issue to the couselor?  The school counselor might know the best route to take this in your particular school and area, and might be a good support.\n\nMost principals want to know if a teacher is being a bully, and the principals usually want to sort it out.  Best of luck in getting this issue taken care of.
960151
There are some vital areas you have overlooked. You need to 'catch them being good' and openly reward positive behaviour. The pupils should be involved in the creation of the class rules and sanctions and be very clear in advance of what will happen should these rules be broken. And should the rules be broken you should tell them it's their behaviour they don't like not them. It is vital that you have unconditional positive regard for pupils. You also need to have a very robust and consistent approach to positive behaviour management, agreed strategies on how you will deal with and respond to individuals with individual needs. This needs to be in writing to ensure other visiting specialists or cover teachers are aware of these agreed strategies and use them. And finally, ask yourself - are your lessons worth behaving for? \nGood reading? Anything by Bill Rogers
619924
Not enough information to give a good response.  If you described the situation we might be able to better understand where the problem is - is it with the teacher, or is it with you?
813133
Bullies need to be identified and isolated from the rest of the school population for an extended period of time.  If after a set period of time there is no improvement in attitude or behaviour of the bully, then he/she should be transfered to a learning facility that offers counseling and education at a deeper level than what is offered at public schools.  Bullying is not acceptable behaviour.
46081
The answers to your question is very uncomfortable, because it casts this culture (and others that tolerate it) in a very bad light.\n\n1. For one, I hate to say it but in some ways bullying is seen as socially acceptable. If you listen to some adults (especially those whose children are accused of being bullies), they will say things like "Bullying is good, because it teaches the weak how to defend themselves." Or they'll say that bullying teaches good *social skills*, because it prepares children for the Real World, which is harsh and cruel. In other words, what I'm saying is that the educational system in some way condones this type of behavior, since many people in some ways hold these beliefs (even teachers and faculty).\n\n2. Adults continue to insist that bullying is a cute, harmless activity amongst children. You know the old saw-- "kids will be kids." So when they see bullying, they don't see harrassment, torture, stalking, cruelty and torment. They see boys displaying their *crushes* on girls; they see *roughhousing.* They see friendly teasing. It's like adults still live in this time warp where all boys are doing are dipping girls' pigtails into inkwells, and all girls are doing are sticking their tongues out at each other. Since adults form the educational system, they literally turn a blind eye to it all and pretend that it's simply harmless teasing.\n\n3. Many bullies are such master manipulators, that they are able to convince teachers and administrators that they are the nicest kids on the planet.\n\n4. Adults feel that bullying is a *natural phase* of childhood. So why do anything about it?\n\n5. Lastly, when bullying happens, the school faculty takes this stance that it's none of its business if children are harassed. It's job is to merely just *teach.* Anything else that happens under their nose is the child's problem. As a result, nothing is done about it.\n\nSad to say, but it's true.