Talking Points # 3 *Argument*

1. From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America - A National Report on School Bullying

2.This author on GLSEN argues that we need to "bridge the gap between the support that teachers say they provide to students and students’ perceptions of teachers’ willingness to take action.”  

In order to create a safe and healthy environment in schools, its important that we learn to communicate and work together as a team to help create a system that works for everyone involved. It's important for teachers to be involved with the students, and for the students to feel that they can confide in their teachers for support and guidance.  It's important that teachers don't just "shut out" the problems of their students, or pretend that the bullying and harassment isn't happening. "This study clearly illustrates the prevalence of bullying and harassment in America’s schools and that students who experience harassment are more likely to miss classes which can impact a student’s ability to learn." Schools should be a safe, healthy, and judgement free place, not a place where you have to fear both physical and emotional abuse. It's important that we bridge that gap between teachers and students to provide for a healthy environment to learn. 

 3. I really found this article interesting, and it really makes me wonder how many teachers are actually willing to take action, or how long it takes them to feel "its time to step in." The main point that I wish to discuss, which I've already brought it up few times, is that we really need to bring students and teachers closer, and for the students to know, that the teachers are there to help the students, and that they can confide in them. The students need to know that if they go to a teacher, they will have results, and action will be taken to help them. No one can stop the abuse on their own, we need each other for comfort and support.