her class. Her teacher forced her to sit next to the boys who used to taunt her and call her ugly on the basis that she was a good student and would be a positive influence. “The focus wasn’t on me, it was on my bullies,” Ms. Burton said.
Kathy Brooks of Toronto did everything she could to stop her daughter’s high-school tormentors, including talking with her teachers and visiting her school regularly. After two years of escalating name calling and social isolation, Ms. Brooks moved her daughter to Inglenook Community School.
The school is one of several alternative programs within the city that cater to students who have been bullied. It’s small, with just 90 students in Grade 11 and 12, and staffed by teachers who are handpicked for their compassion and attention to students.
“They’re watchful not just about grades, but about how the kids are doing,” Ms. Brooks said.
Her daughter, now 19 and a biochemistry student in Britain, thrived at Inglenook. Ms. Brooks says she doesn’t know if her daughter, who received counselling for contemplating suicide, would have survived another year at her old school.
“You’ve got to get the kids out of that situation because that child is suffering every day and it takes a long time for things to change,” she said.
Lady Gaga speaks out against bullying.
Kids Talking About and Reacting to Bullying
In your classroom, encourage discussions about bullying and what to do if you are a victim of bullying or if you witness someone else being bullied.
Talking to your students about what they know about bullying will help you discover what they need to know and where to begin teaching.
The following video includes students making suggestions about what to do to prevent bullying, what works and what is not effective.