DANI: Imagine a scene like this… Ms. Yazzie, a high school science teacher, calls on Zach and then another student, Jayda, makes a comment about him.
ZACH: Is it true that the heart has its own electrical impulse, so it can continue to beat even when separated from the body?
JAYDA: You are so gay.
(Other students laugh)
DANI: Think of how you’d respond. Now, let’s hear four ways Ms. Yazzie might respond. She might try to refocus the class like this.
1. MS. YAZZIE: Okay, okay, That’s enough. I think we all know Zach’s not gay, so let’s move on with the lesson, please…
(JAYDA laughs dismissively)
MS. YAZZIE: Excuse me?
JAYDA: He is gay. I ain’t lyin’…
DANI: Whether or not Zach’s gay is his business. Don’t go there. Instead, correct the misbehavior. Jayda is obviously trying to make Zach feel bad. Let’s hear another attempt at trying to refocus the class.
2. MS. YAZZIE: Whether he is or isn’t gay doesn’t matter. Let’s get back to the lesson.
TYLER: Whether or not Zach is gay probably matters a lot to him, so I wouldn’t say it doesn’t matter. But also, Jayda’s being disrespectful to you and bullying another student. Don’t let her off that easy. Let’s hear Ms. Yazzie respond by threatening Jayda.
3. MS. YAZZIE: Another outburst, Jayda, and you can take a walk to Principal Anderson’s office.
DANI: It’s good that you’re taking her outburst seriously, and she probably learned not to say that stuff in your class. But, she still might say it when you’re not around. Before dropping the topic, see if you can explain to her why what she said was wrong. Let’s hear another response that Ms. Yazzie might give.
4. MS. YAZZIE: Jayda, you signed a class contract to treat everyone in here with respect. What you just said is disrespectful.
JAYDA: But Ms. Yazzie, he really is gay, so I should be allowed to say that.
MS. YAZZIE: Whether anyone in here is or isn’t gay is personal. Now Jayda, we don’t make personal comments about sexual orientation in this classroom. If you have any questions about that, you can stay after class and we can discuss the class rules further. Now, let’s get back to the lesson.
CASEY: Great! Next, it would be good to follow up with Zach. Let’s hear what that would sound like…
MS. YAZZIE: Zach do you have a few minutes to talk?
ZACH: About?
MS. YAZZIE: About what Jayda said in class today. I’m sorry that happened.
ZACH: Whatever. It’s not a big deal.
MS. YAZZIE: It’s a big deal to me that you weren’t treated with respect. I know words can be very hurtful sometimes, so if you ever want to talk about anything…
ZACH: I… I have to go to class.
TYLER: It’s okay that he didn’t want to talk about it. But, it was still good to ask how he’s doing. Even if he doesn’t admit it, that probably meant more to him than he let on. And now, if he ever wants to reach out, he knows that you’re open.
So to summarize, harassment happens everywhere- in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms. Anything a teacher can do to make sure it doesn’t happen in the classroom makes a big difference.