November 20-26 is Bullying Awareness and Prevention week in Ontario! Being aware of bullying means being aware of all ways that you can encounter bullying as a teacher, between students, between colleagues and between students and teachers. Awareness should not be confined to this week; diligence throughout the school year can make an enormous difference in the life of a bullied student. Prevention of the problem is perhaps the best solution, but when you discover a problem it is good to consult some library resources to give you an idea of how to proceed.
In preparation for this week of awareness, OISE Library has a new display in the front lobby of the OISE building: “Bullying Awareness.” Materials about prevention, reaction, and behavioural elements of bullying are all part of this display, and a variety of media resources are represented. The library has materials on bullying at all levels, from elementary school to the workplace. Among these resources, there is everything from theoretical perspectives to practical guides. Some DVD’s and activity kits have also been included to give students an idea of the variety of resources available to them. Bullying doesn’t have an age limit; resources about academic and workplace bullying have been included along with the elementary and secondary resources.
Part of preventing bullying in schools is the establishment of a network of resources and knowledge among teachers. Whether you have witnessed an instance of bullying between students or are experiencing it yourself, there are resources available to help you understand what to report, when to report it and how the situation will be dealt with. Students planning to work in Ontario schools should be aware of the resources offered by the Ministry of Education. Under the Keeping Our Children Safe at School Act, as well as the Provincial Code of Conduct, schools must have a code of conduct for their students and teachers in order to prevent instances of bullying. Every public school in Ontario is also required to have a safe schools team, which draws members from staff, parents and community partners. Being aware of these resources and how they apply to your future workplace will allow you to navigate the individual school bullying policies that you may encounter. Ask how you can get involved in your school community, and in anti-bullying initiatives.
If you should see something in the new display that could be helpful to your teaching, don’t be shy, ask us to take it out for you! This display is in the OISE building lobby.
