E D U C A T I O N
PREVENTING
BULLYING IN THE RGV Today, many children are affected by some form of bullying, whether it be physical, verbal, or relational. Though bullying in schools has always been a concern, in the past few years, technology, and more specifically social media, has exacerbated the issue, allowing for ongoing harassment that can leave victims feeling as though they are without an escape from its reach. Whatever the form of bullying, it is identified as aggressive and intentional and can show up with immediate impacts and have lasting effects. Bullying can rob students of the opportunity to learn and can result in serious or even have fatal consequences. While schools tend to be a hotspot for bullying, many face the issue even into adulthood. According to the National Education Agency (NEA), especially due to advances in technology, bullying has been on the rise across the country, with 77 percent of students saying they have been victims of bullying and one out of five students admitting to bullying their peers. A recent surge in bullying-related suicides has
brought national attention to the seriousness of the issue. In response to this alarming increase, much progress has been made to address the best ways to deal with bullies of all kinds and at every level. According to one Valley teacher, each year, teachers are trained on how to recognize bullying and deal with it in the classroom. This effort is important, but she noted it does not always prepare teachers for real-life situations. In her case, teachers are often expected to handle bullying under the umbrella of classroom management. However, it can be an issue that extends well beyond the classroom. NEA research shows that school staff training is essential to address the problem, but found that many educators do not feel equipped to do so. According to the NEA, almost half of all educators in the country say they’ve received no training on their district’s bullying policy, and 74 percent say they could benefit from training on when and how to intervene in cyberbullying. Fortunately, many Valley schools have adopted anti-bullying initiatives to raise awareness among staff and students and minimize acts of
RGVISION MAGAZINE
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NOV/DEC 2017
By A bbey Kunkl e
According to the National Education Agency (NEA), especially due to advances in technology, bullying has been on the rise across the country, with 77 percent of students saying they have been victims of bullying and one out of five students admitting to bullying their peers.
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