Hi,
I’m a student teacher and i wanted to know how i should deal with students who are being picked on by other students. How should i help his peers see this student in a different light. Also as a future teacher if this situation where to occur in my classroom, how should i approach parents to for help?
Re: Helping students
It’s so encouraging hearing 2 teachers who recognize the bullying. My 13 yr old son has refused to go to school today because he is picked on - “You’re so retarded - what’s wrong with you, etc…” - by one kid. I don’t think teachers are always tuned in to these remarks, and think they are made off-hand, and carelessly. But when you have learning disabilities, you don’t shrug off those remarks.
I agree - no tolerance at all. I might also try to create a relationship between the bully and the bullied - in some situations. Like pair them up for a short-term project. Sometimes these remarks are made thoughtlessly, but when you know someone, it’s less likely you will make them.
I wish I had a magic answer to give my son, though. At his age, it’s difficult for me to go to the teacher, without that making things worse. I have gone to parents before - ones I knew - with good results from the parents, but bad repercussions from the bully. I really think the best policy is for teachers to really be attuned to unkind remarks.
I support the ‘picked on’ students and get in the face of the ones doing the bullying. I go through all the reasons why they might be bullying but have a no tolerance polerance toware bullying. I’m happy to help students see a picked on student in a different light, as you say, but first and foremost the bullying needs to stop.
I haven’t found turning to parents to be a very effective approach. Parents are understandably reluctant to see their child as a bully. Parents can also say all the right things but they are not physically at the school to intervene and I am.
I think bullying is something too many schools look the other way on.