Running head: BULLYING IN THE
CLASSROOM1
Bullying in the Classroom
Chamara McCray
Liberty University
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Bullying in the Classroom
Bullying happens all over the world to children and adults. In most cases of bullying, the
target is usually a child. “Bullying is when a person, or group of persons, uses power to harass or
intimidate one or more people who have less power” (Burden, 2017). Bullying has so many
adverse behaviors that develop once a child has experienced this. I would like to encourage more
educators to be present in their classrooms and aware of what is happening in their classrooms,
so no child will ever have to experience being bullied while in school. “Bullying is a complex
and widespread public health issue that affects children of all ages and adults” (Rettew &
Pawlowski, 2016). If Mr. Goss and the other administrators had paid more attention to how
Emily and Keisha were treating Tasha, she would have had a much better experience at the new
school.
In reading the scenario, I was surprised to learn the back story of Mr. Goss. I think
because of his hardships in his early life, he could have been a good ally for Tasha. The first
incident of bullying I experienced through Tasha, was Emily and Keisha taunting her doing the
lunch period. She wanted to sit with them and they embarrassed her and refused to allow her to
sit with them. Emily controlled the social setting at that moment by publicly rejecting Tasha,
which empowers Emily to be continuing to bully Tasha. “Bullying is often defined as repetitive
and intentional aggressive behavior by one individual or group against another in situations
where there exists some sort of power differential between the bully and the victim in terms of
physical size, social status, or other features” Rettew & Pawlowski, 2016). The next incident of
bullying Tasha experienced was when they arrived back to the classroom and Keisha
perpetuated the bullying even more by writing a nasty and rude poem about Tasha’s outfit
during a group
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activity. “Bullying involves targeted intimidation or humiliation. Typically, a physically
stronger or socially more prominent person (ab)uses her/his power to threaten, demean, or
belittle another” (Graham & Juvonen, 2014). Including the other classmates in bullying of
Tasha is letting the other students think this behavior was okay. It is never acceptable to make
fun of a child’s clothing or do it in front of a group of other children. Lastly, the last
inappropriate and mean-spirited form of bullying Tasha had to endure was when she had a great
victory with Keisha and Emily when she helped them when their basketball game. Instead of
Keisha and Emily being grateful for the assistance Tasha provided in their win, they took
another opportunity to embarrass Tasha in front of their peers. Tasha forgot her water bottle and
had to run back and get it, when she boarded the bus and was walking to her seat, Emily stuck
her foot out and tripped Tasha. Tasha fell face first on the dirty bus floor, her water bottle got
dirty and her phone flew out of her hand and cracked.” To make the target or victim feel
powerless, the bully can resort to several aggressive behaviors” (Graham & Juvonen, 2014).
To keep bullying out of my classroom, I am going to make sure that my students are
aware of the definition of bullying and the adverse effects it can have on people. At the
beginning of the school year and every month after that we will have a discussion and role play
how it feels to be the bully and how it feels to be bullied. “Adult intervention is one of the best
defenses against bullying. Teachers need to recognize the warning signs of bullying and
intervene when it happens, sending the message that bullying is not acceptable” (Burden, 2017).
I would also like to put together a program to make everyone aware of bullying including
teachers, students, parents and administrators. If everyone is on the same page on what to expect
from bullying and how it can be prevented, we will be able to eliminate it from happening in our
schools.
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When Keisha and Emily started taunting Tasha in the lunch room, this was verbal
bullying. They thought it was funny to not allow Tasha to sit with them. They did this to be mean
and hurtful to Tasha and this act caused Tasha to be embarrassed in front of her peers in the lunch
room. “Bullying involves targeted intimidation or humiliation” (Graham & Juvonen, 2014).
Keisha and Emily do not understand the psychological stressors they are creating by treating
Tasha this way. This can cause long-term effects on her which could result in Tasha’s behaviors
and self-esteem. The next form of bullying is both verbal and relational. They teased Tasha
about her clothing in the classroom in front of her classmates and started a rumor about the
cleanliness of her clothes. Now the other students are involved, and this could potentially result
in them not wanting to spend time getting to know Tasha because of how she looks or the
conditions of her clothing. “School grounds remain the most common site for bullying, and
physical appearance is the most common target of bullying behavior” (Pawlowski & Rettew,
2016). When Emily stuck her foot out while Tasha was boarding the bus and tripped her, was yet
another way that she could embarrass her and assault her but now in a physically way. “Physical
bullying is action
oriented. It includes hitting, shoving, kicking, pushing, spitting, or taking or damaging a person's
property” (Burden, 2017). The sad reality of this situation is that these girls will grow up and end
up dropping out of school, vandalizing property, and even worse getting into fights which will
lead to them going to jail. They don’t realize the effects their bullying will also have on Tasha.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to use of
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).
Bullying is a serious issue that is happening in all of our schools throughout the country.
Although most bullying takes place with young children, adults can as well be bullied in varying
settings. “Overall, the level of trauma with regard to bullying has been found to be roughly
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equivalent to a child being placed outside of the home and may be more severe than other forms
of child maltreatment” (Pawlowski & Rettew, 2016).
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References
Burden, P. (2017). Classroom management: Creating a successful k-12 learning
community (6th ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN:
9781119352891.
Carroll, R. (2008). Bible-KJV. Oxford University Press, USA.
Juvonen, J., & Graham, S. (2014). Bullying in Schools: The Power of Bullies and the
Plight of Victims. Annual Review of Psychology,65(1), 159-185. doi:10.1146/annurev-
psych- 010213-115030
Wang, C., Berry, B., & Swearer, S. M. (2013). The Critical Role of School Climate in
Effective Bullying Prevention. Theory into Practice, 52(4), 296-302.
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