Three Strategies for Building Classroom Culture and Stopping Bullying in Schools

HuffPost Blog, May 5, 2014 (by Signe Whitson, author, child and adolescent therapist)

"The 2013-14 school year is winding to a close. For many, this is the 'wrap it up' part of the year where projects are finished, grades are turned in, and report cards are finalized. For others, this is more of a beginning -- a time to look ahead and plan for the next school year. For me, this becomes a busy time of year as schools and organizations are strategizing for improved bullying prevention measures for 2014-15 and scheduling workshops to guide them in their efforts.

In my conversations with faculty and staff about both the struggles and the successes they've had with regard to bullying and bullying prevention, one common theme emerges: It's all about the culture of the classroom. The teachers who are most effective in stopping bullying are the ones who work purposefully and systematically to create classroom cultures in which kindness is valued over coolness; and popularity among students is based not on the power to dominate social interactions, but rather on a young person's willingness to reach out to a classmate with compassion." Read more