Emphasizing the language of respect
Episode Summary: Dr. Jane Bluestein talks with Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg about what Freiberg calls “bully-mania,” referring to the hyper-reactivity and vigilance that has emerged in the shadow of the Columbine murders. They discuss the implications and limitations of including all forms of peer harassment, teasing, exclusion, or other hurtful behaviors under the banner of bullying behavior, and how making shifts in the language we use allows us to focus on solutions.
Topics include the National School Climate Standards, the tendency to not intervene until a crisis occurs, the value of creating an emotionally safe school environment, and the importance of focusing on “meanness” instead of wondering whether or not a behavior comes under the heading of “bullying.” Citing the notion that “prevention is interaction,” Freiberg also offers practical, concrete, non-reactive responses and approaches to teaching respectful interactions between children. Right-click on this link to download a copy of this mp3 file to your hard drive, or click on the bar below to listen.
See below for related links and resources.
Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg
Educational Consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education, School Climate Improvement, Bullying, and Character Education
Web site: https://schoolclimateconsultants.com
Email: joann.freiberg@gmail.com
860-430-5059
Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg is an Educational Consultant with the Connecticut State Department of Education managing the wide arena of Bullying, Improving School Climate, and Character Education. She has worked as a classroom teacher and as a teacher educator, and has held faculty appointments at a number of universities. Jo Ann holds a Ph.D. in philosophy of education from Ohio State University, and her areas of academic teaching and research include moral and character education, educational studies, professional ethics, and multicultural education.
She has served on the statewide task force on bullying, and has served as an educational consultant in a variety of settings both in Connecticut and nationally. She is a member of the National School Climate Council. Jo Ann provides a wide range of professional development and educational content to many groups and organizations throughout the country. As a parent, she sees the issues from multifaceted levels.
© 2012, Dr. Jane Bluestein, Father Sky Media.
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Related links:
Visit Dr. Freiberg’s website. More resources and information are available here.
“Preventing the Unimaginable.” PDF version of a Powerpoint presentation by Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg. From a keynote presentation by Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg at The Governor’s School and College Security Conference on March 27, 2008 at Central Connecticut State University.
“School Climate and Bullying Prevention.” by Jonathan Cohen and Jo Ann Freiberg. National School Climate Center.
“Improving the Odds: The Untapped Power of Schools to Improve the Health of Teens,” monograph by Robert Blum, MD, PhD, Clea McNeely, DrPH, and Peggy Mann Rinehart of the Center for Adolescent Health and Development, University of Minnesota.
“The Challenge of Bullying: Resistance and Reaction,” by Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg, PDF of chapter in Critical Essays on Resistance in Education, edited by Daniel Moss and Terry Osborn, Peter Lang Publishing, 2010.
Creating Emotionally Safe Schools by Dr. Jane Bluestein.
High School’s Not Forever by Dr. Jane Bluestein and Eric Katz, MSAC.
“No Kidding About Bullying: A Constructive Approach to a Serious Subject.” Podcast with Naomi Drew.
The Respectful School: How Educators and Students Can Conquer Hate and Harassment by Stephen L. Wessler with William Preble. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2003.
Rampage: The Social Roots of School Shootings, by Katherine S. Newman. Basic Books, 2004.
Aggression in the Schools, by Dan Olweus. John Wiley & Sons, 1978. With Good Reason: An Introduction to Informal Fallacies, by S. Morris Engel, St. Martin’s Press, 1999. Available on Amazon.
“Building Your Classroom Community Community: Creating a Positive Social Climate in Your Classroom,” excerpt from Becoming a Win-Win Teacher by Dr. Jane Bluestein.
“Expert on Bullying Discusses Ways to Reduce the Problem,” interview by Grace Merritt, Hartford Courant, with Dr. Jane Bluestein.
“Jane Bluestein Discusses Emotionally Safe Schools,” interview by Kate Bedford, 6 Seconds.
“Bearing Witness: Support for Children in Crisis,” excerpt from Creating Emotionally Safe Schools by Dr. Jane Bluestein.
“Bully-Proofing Kids: Real Strategies to Teach Kids…” by Dr. Michele Borba.
“What’s Wrong with ‘I-Messages’?” by Dr. Jane Bluestein.
“Ways to Improve the School Culture,” handout by Dr. Jane Bluestein. Excerpted and adapted from The Win-Win Classroom.
The Peaceful Classroom and Learning the Skills of Peacemaking. Two books for K-6 teachers. Both available on Naomi Drew’s website.
“7 Steps to Bully-Proofing Kids,” by Naomi Drew.
“Bullying Checklist for Kids,” by Naomi Drew.
“Constructive Differencing: Helping Kids Learn to Disagree and Still Maintain Contact” Podcast with Dr. Jared Scherz.
StopBullying.gov website provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.
Hurt-Free Schools website targets bullying and violence through the deliberate creation of a responsive school climate which weaves a web of emotional, social and physical safety around every child. From Chris Mattise.
“Bullying Prevention: Recommendations for Schools.” Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder.
Handout from The Bully, The Bullied, and The Bystander by Barbara Coloroso. This book is available on Amazon.
“Bullying.” Short video by Stan Davis about the impact of bullying on learning and behavior, the value of school climate and connectedness.
Stop Bullying Now website with practical, research-based strategies for reducing bullying in schools from Stan Davis.
The Youth Voice Project: Student Insights into Bullying and Peer Mistreatment. Research project by Stan Davis and Dr. Charisse Nixon. Website includes additional resources. Also available on Amazon.
“How to Build a Culture of Empathy in Education.” Video dialogue with Stan Davis & Edwin Rutsch.
Schools Where Everyone Belongs: Practical Strategies for Reducing Bullying by Stan Davis with Julie Davis. Interventions to help aggressive youth internalize rules and develop conscience are paired with methods for helping targets of bullying. Chapters cover a wide range of topics, including myths about bullying, acknowledging positive behavior, effective discipline, working with parents, relational aggression, empowering bystanders, and preventing disability harassment. Also available on Amazon.
“Ways Teachers Can Prevent School Violence.” Article on the National School Safety Center Web site, with other resources on school violence, weapons, crime, and bullying.
11 Facts about Cyberbullying. Information about young people and social change.
“You Belong,” poem by Naomi Drew.
Note from Dr. Bluestein: Google “bullying,” “bully prevention programs,” “cyberbullying,” or related terms and you will find thousands of links, some better than others. The links offered here include resources from individuals I know personally and have worked with over the years. If you have other resources you would like me to consider, please contact me.
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List of Spectrum Podcasts by guest
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About Dr. Jane Bluestein
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