Day 3: Get Over It ....

     Bullying is a very real epidemic that is not localized to any one place or situation. It is everywhere from school yards to sports events and with the evolution of technology it is no longer avoidable for many children. Many school districts report a zero-tolerance policy or the latest in Restorative Justice practices, that have revolutionized their schools and have all but eliminated bullying from their halls. But are schools truly becoming more effective at cracking down on bullying? Do Circles and Anti-Bullying Apps create safer learning environment or does it push the responsibility off those that are put in place to protect our children?

         As an educator I am ashamed at the fact that I cannot honestly answer these questions when it comes to the safety and well-being of my students. I am ashamed that in many situations all I can do is fill-out form after form or place phone calls home, that never seem to be answered. I am ashamed that each day I try my best to bring students back from the ledge by telling them it gets better, but at the same time am guilty of feeling that no matter what I say or do nothing ever really changes.
      As I've said before, bullying and harassment hasn't changed from when I was a student, but the accessibility and severity has. Yet even though this epidemic hasn't gone away, it seems as if the consequences associated with bullying have vanished. Today students are expected to talk about negative (and positive) behaviors as a group and come up with alternatives (or benefits) to those behaviors. Instead of purging bullying from our schools, we instead redefine language so that the bully's feelings are not hurt, without any regard to those they have tormented.
      It is time that we redefine what it means to be a school system and create a culture that truly helps students in need. It should no longer be someone else's responsibility when it comes to preventing bullying or harassment, but ours. It can be as simple as making your presence known in crowded or distant areas and stepping in before things even have a chance to get out of hand. But in the end parents, teachers and administration all should be involved and on the same page when it comes to physical, verbal or cyber-bullying.

     When done correctly Restorative Justice may have a place within schools, but only when the appropriate training and support is put into place.  Do not let your students or children miss out on an education, because of bullying. Be supportive and active in their education and well-being.