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A Dozen Things Teachers Can Do to Stop School Violence
- Report to the principal as quickly as possible any
threats, signs of or discussions of weapons, signs of
gang activity, or other conditions that might invite or
encourage violence.
- Set norms for behavior in your classroom. Refuse
to permit violence. Ask students to help set penalties
and enforce the rules.
- Invite parents to talk with you about their children's
progress and any concerns they have. Send
home notes celebrating children's achievements.
- Learn how to recognize the warning signs that a
child might be headed for violence and know how to
tap school resources to get appropriate help.
- Encourage and sponsor student-led anti-violence
activities and programs ranging from peer education,
teen courts, and mediation to mentoring and training.
- Offer to serve on a team or committee to develop
and implement a Safe School Plan, including how
teachers and other school staff should respond in
emergencies.
- Enforce school policies that seek to reduce the
risk of violence. Take responsibility for areas outside
as well as inside your classroom.
- Insist that students not resort to name-calling or
teasing. Encourage them to demonstrate the respect
they expect. Involve them in developing standards of
acceptable behavior.
- Teach with enthusiasm. Students engaged in work
that is challenging, informative, and rewarding are less
likely to get into trouble.
- Learn and teach conflict resolution and anger
management skills. Help your students practice
applying them in everyday life. Discuss them in the
context of what you teach.
- Incorporate discussions on violence and its prevention
into the subject matter you teach whenever
possible.
- Encourage students to report crimes or activities
that make them suspicious.
Return to Crime Prevention Tips
Crime Prevention Tips Provided by:
National Crime Prevention Council
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