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Tips for Teachers and Staff

Providing safe classroom environments is an important part of the mission to reduce bullying. Students need to see and recognize that teachers and staff are in control and that they care about their students.
 
Creating a Safe Classroom Environment
These activities can help you build and sustain a safe, secure classroom environment:
  • Develop, post, and discuss rules and sanctions related to bullying.
  • Treat students and each other with warmth and respect. Demonstrate positive interest and involvement in your students.
  • Establish yourself as a clear and visible authority with responsibility for making the school experience safe and positive.
  • Reward students for positive, inclusive behavior.
  • Take immediate action when bullying is observed and consistently use nonphysical, non-hostile negative consequences when rules are broken.
  • Listen to parents and students who report bullying in your classroom. Quickly and effectively resolve the issue to avoid perpetuation of bullying behaviors.
  • Notify parents of all involved students when a bullying incident occurs, and resolve the problem expeditiously, according to discipline plans at school.
  • Refer students affected by bullying to school counseling or mental health staff, if needed.
  • Protect students who are bullied with a safety plan.
  • Hold class meetings during which students can talk about bullying and peer relations.
  • Provide information to parents about bullying behaviors and encourage their involvement and support in addressing bullying issues.
Testimonial Videos
See how these educators helped create safe schools and safe classrooms with a comprehensive bullying prevention program.
Advocate for Bullying Prevention Efforts in Your School
There are several steps you can take as a teacher or staff member to create lasting change when it comes to preventing bullying. In addition to working to create a safe classroom and being watchful of bullying behavior, you can advocate for a comprehensive program that takes a systems-change approach to preventing bullying in schools.

If you have the commitment and desire to see positive change happen, these tips will help you advocate for prevention efforts to address bullying in schools:
  • Help demonstrate that bullying behavior in your school is a problem by documenting bullying incidents that you observe or that are reported to you.
  • Garner the support of parents whose children are experiencing problems with bullying or who are simply concerned that bullying is occurring.
  • Schedule meetings with school administrators who might be open to the idea of implementing a prevention program to address bullying in schools.



HazelNAESP1_2
The Minnesota Bullying Prevention Initiative is a partnership of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and Hazelden.

Series of articles
How can we effectively and compassionately address the needs of children who are being bullied, children who are bullying, children who are bystanders, and the adults around them?

This is from a series of articles by Hazelden  -- examining the issue of bullying prevention and offering strong, workable solutions.


Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
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