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| Casey Blau heads a class on bullying identification and prevention for R-V teachers |
Butler R-V teachers were recently trained in bullying identification and prevention strategies. The training was provided by Casey Blau, a 17-year veteran educator from Nixa, MO, who specializes in bullying prevention education.
The reason for training R-V teachers is to respond to student and parent concerns over bullying. In a spring 2012 survey, Butler parents identified, “How students treat one another,” as the weakest performance area of the school district. Bullying was also the most mentioned subject in the comments area of the survey.
“We want to do the right thing for all of our students, and when our parents indicate that there is an issue, we will take steps to make this a better learning environment for everyone,” stated Butler Superintendent, Alan Stauffacher.
The training uses available research to inform teachers and students how to handle the situations which arise in different situations in the school day. “Punishing bullies is not sufficient to stop bullying. We must address those who bear the brunt of bullying, those who stand by and watch, and those who commit acts of bullying in order to understand how each contributes to that dynamic,” said Blau in his comments to the faculty. “Bullying is a habit and it takes a commitment to break that habit,” he added.
Teachers have already begun to implement the practices suggested by Blau, and both buildings have begun to explore ways to make the process work in Butler.
High School Principal Steve Hubbard said, “Casey’s presentation provided our staff with extra insights and talking points about bullies and bullying. One of the most important concepts for teachers, parents, and students is being able to discern what is bullying and what is not. Casey was able to share some skills and tools that teachers can use to empower our student body.”
If parents think their child may be involved in a bullying situation, Elementary Principal Stacey Lawson says, “Parents need to listen to their child. If they have concerns, they need to let the child’s teacher or school administration know.”
