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Mentoring the Bullies
| Name | Leslee Spivey | | Situation | Bullying was a problem at a local school in Williamsburg County among junior high girls. The guidance counselor reported that these students had had conflict issues since they were in the first grade. Teachers were concerned because classes were being disrupted constantly. Parents were concerned because student’s grades and emotions were being affected as a result of the bullying. Students were uncomfortable with the situation. | | Response | Extension served as the mediator. The local Extension agent and Dr. Deborah Thomason, Associate Professor, Family and Community Studies, met with the school administration to develop a plan of action and to make plans for a long-term program. It was determined that short-term program would not make any positive change. Extension researched curriculum dealing with bullying and began to devise a student mentoring plan for the junior high situation. Dr. Deborah Thomason presented programs and led discussion for the students, teachers, and parents on bullying. The local Extension agent met with the teachers on two occasions to present a program on strategies for understanding youth and to present the plan for the mentoring program. The school administration agreed for the tenth grade students to become mentors to the junior high students. Two trainings were planned to prepare the older girls to serve as mentors to the younger girls. The older girls were given the opportunity to participate in Seven Habits of Highly Affective Teens. In addition, Dr. Thomason presented 5 hours of conflict resolution training. Contracts were signed and guidelines were reinforced. The school was responsible for the girls being paired and for the initial meeting between the mentor and the younger girls. The school continues to monitor and provide meetings with the participants. | | Impact | The impact is still being observed, but the 15 students participating in the two trainings reported that they had gained knowledge and would practice this knowledge. Plans are to continue the program until the tenth grade girls graduate. It is also planned to continue the mentoring program with other grades. The mentors complete a short report each month to advise the guidance counselor of progress being made. Extension continues to monitor the program and to advise as needed.
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Last update3/4/2008
This website is maintained by Tomika Orgbon.
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