How Rude! : Exploring Issues of Harassment and Bullying

Format: The workshop, of whatever length, will consist of didactic presentation, experiential activity, and discussion/processing. The focus will, of course, be heavily on experiential activity. The structure of the workshop is based upon projects done in various school settings in the USA, and, most recently, on a staff-training project that was conducted at four TAFEs (Institutes for Training and Further Education) in rural Victoria, Australia. Participants use action exploration both to develop an operational definition of Harassment and Bullying, as well as to explore appropriate and effective intervention strategies.

Participants: This workshop can be adapted to both staff groups (teachers, administrators, and support staff) and combinations of school personnel and students.

Learning Outcomes - Participants will be able to:

. articulate an operational definition of bullying and harassing behavior

. describe institutional policy on the issue and proscribed consequences of inappropriate behavior

. name institutional and local resources for support in dealing with these issues

. describe and demonstrate appropriate and effective interventions for dealing with harassing and bulling behaviors as they occur

<> Logistics: This workshop can be offered as a half-day workshop, or full day workshop with 6-7 hours of workshop time bookended around a lunch break. Time is adjustable. Space needs include a room with movable chairs and large enough to accommodate the people involved. Tables off to the side and a blackboard or whiteboard are needed. Lunch breaks are scheduled and group members may either be on their own for lunch, or "pot luck" arrangements can be made.