Positive Parenting

Teacher to Teacher

Pic 0: A title screen appears that reads “Teacher to teacher,” before transitioning to Jackie in front of a white background.

Jackie: In out next scenario, Scotty is a middle school student who has endured painful bullying for wearing makeup outside of school.

Pic 1: The visual changes to one where a figure is hunched over and shaking, with different phrases next to them, which read “Makeup is for girls!” and “Did Halloween come early?” and “If you want to look like a girl, use the girl’s bathroom!” and “You’re a boy, not a girl!”

Jackie: A group of boys repeatedly harassed him in the school restroom, telling him if he wanted to look like a girl, he should use the girl’s room. Scotty reported this to Ms. Dixon, who addressed and resolved the bullying.

Pic 2: The visual changes to one of a taller figure outlined in grey and a smaller figure outlined in green with a green word bubble above their head.

Jackie: During her investigation, Ms. Dixon uncovered an alarming detail. Scotty originally told another teacher, Mr. Walker, about a specific bullying incident a month ago during lunchtime. Even though Mr. Walker isn’t Scotty’s classroom teacher, he was on lunch duty and was the first person he came to.

Pic 3: The taller figure moves so that their back is to the younger figure.

Jackie: Unfortunately, it seems Mr. Walker did nothing to address it.

Pic 4: The screen returns to Jackie.

Jackie: In this scenario, you will watch Ms. Dixon have a conversation with Mr. Walker. She happens to be in the teacher’s lounge with Mr. Walker during her lunch period.

Pic 5: A text box appears next to Jackie titled “Her Goals.” It includes three bullet points, “one, ask what Scotty told him, two, determine why he didn’t report it, and three, if needed, remind about his responsibilities.”

Jackie: Her goal is to find out what Scotty told him about the bullying and why he didn’t report the incident. If needed, she should remind Mr. Walker of his responsibility to report bullying behavior. She can use the conversational tactics you’ve already learned to engage Mr. Walker.

By fostering a culture where teachers take action whenever bullying is seen, heard, or reported, you’ll help targeted students feel safe and supported in school.