Education Professor Shares Tips on Handling School Bullies

 As the 2002-03 academic year draws near, teachers and parents might be looking for ways to derail the enemy of every classroom and schoolyard – the bully.

 Eleanor T. “Terry” Migliore, associate professor of education at Trinity, heads the University’s school psychology program and is a licensed school psychologist who is an expert on handling troubled children. She is a specialist in the diagnosis and teaching of students with emotional problems.

 Schools can do a great deal to create an atmosphere in which bullying is significantly reduced and where students feel safe and supported, Professor Migliore says, adding that teachers should use intervention techniques that can make a difference for students. “Make certain that students understand what bullying is and why it is harmful,” she says.

 Among her suggestions are to: 

·        Include a “no bullying” rule in classroom rules and have clear reporting and disciplinary systems in place.

·        Use “teachable moments” throughout the day to reinforce the “no bullying” rule.

·        Praise students who report bullies and seek adult help. Praise students who exhibit positive behaviors.

·        Post a confidential message box for student suggestions or comments on classroom concerns.

·        Encourage administrators and faculty members to write a “no bullying” policy into the school handbook and follow up with an in-service meeting, if necessary, that may include bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and teacher assistants.

Professor Migliore also encourages teachers to enlist parents as allies in the school’s “no bullying” effort, spreading the word about the policy in take-home notes and at Parent-Teacher Association meetings.

To learn more about Professor Migliore’s research, contact Susie P. Gonzalez at (210) 999-8406 or email susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu.