The use of an anti-bullying contract is an additive to a teachers rules and procedures. This type of contract builds up and sets the expectation that bullying will not be tolerated. I am a strong advocate for anti-bullying sentiment, and will continue to be in my future profession. The issue of bullying is something that really inspired me to take my focus and direction to the teaching career path because I had dealt with it all throughout high school; I plan on making every student I encounter as comfortable and safe as possible in school. This is why this artifact is so important for my professional tool-kit.
Our research and discussions in EDU 410 have led us to various conclusions about the topic of bullying. One is that the bully and the bullied are both victims in their own right; it comes down to that issue of re-framing. You cannot assess an entire situation and all its complex parts by examining it in one instance, you need to think into the deep underlying issues. Another is that bullying can be verbal, physical, online, or harassing. All different kinds of bullying can effect students differently and also impede learning. We concluded that almost everyone has experienced bullying in some way shape or form and through our experience we must find a way to eliminate it from our schools. I truly believe that bullying is an unnecessary occurrence that has only been magnified through new mediums such as the internet and social media; this will be a constant battle that I will continue to fight in my future.
What I learned through the creation of the anti-bullying contract and the topic of bullying is that there is a wide variety of symptoms and characteristics of bullies and victims that should be carefully watched. There are many red flag indicators that there is something going on and these are the things I need to take with me into my future career. I believe the use of an anti-bullying contract can inspire my students to make a difference in my classroom, and hopefully the school and wider community as a whole. As a future Social Studies teacher I will dedicate time to teaching my students how to be good Samaritans and civic role models; by eliminating bullying in my classes through a contract such as this I think it could make all the difference in the world.
Our research and discussions in EDU 410 have led us to various conclusions about the topic of bullying. One is that the bully and the bullied are both victims in their own right; it comes down to that issue of re-framing. You cannot assess an entire situation and all its complex parts by examining it in one instance, you need to think into the deep underlying issues. Another is that bullying can be verbal, physical, online, or harassing. All different kinds of bullying can effect students differently and also impede learning. We concluded that almost everyone has experienced bullying in some way shape or form and through our experience we must find a way to eliminate it from our schools. I truly believe that bullying is an unnecessary occurrence that has only been magnified through new mediums such as the internet and social media; this will be a constant battle that I will continue to fight in my future.
What I learned through the creation of the anti-bullying contract and the topic of bullying is that there is a wide variety of symptoms and characteristics of bullies and victims that should be carefully watched. There are many red flag indicators that there is something going on and these are the things I need to take with me into my future career. I believe the use of an anti-bullying contract can inspire my students to make a difference in my classroom, and hopefully the school and wider community as a whole. As a future Social Studies teacher I will dedicate time to teaching my students how to be good Samaritans and civic role models; by eliminating bullying in my classes through a contract such as this I think it could make all the difference in the world.