BRATTLEBORO — I am sure if teachers at Academy School were to hear that a child in their classroom were being bullied that they would take the situation seriously. They would listen to the victim and the harmer, and they would consider the bystanders. They would engage the parents and work with all relevant children and adults to deal constructively with the problem.
This was certainly the case when my daughter was being bullied at Academy School 10 years ago. I appreciated the way it was handled, and my daughter went on to have a great school year.
The teachers would not have other students line up and tell the victim that they loved their school, because even if that's the case, it is not the issue at hand.
It's hard to interpret why so many teachers defended their school and their principal on Oct. 22. [“Hearing the public out: Brattleboro Town School Board gets an earful from educators, community,” Oct. 30.] At best, it seems insensitive to their colleague in distress. At worst, it actually proves that there is a culture of bullying at Academy School.
It is unclear to me why both this meeting and a previous hearing reported in The Commons [“Brattleboro teacher claims bullying by administrators,” Oct. 23] were facilitated as they were.
I would suggest that Windham Southeast Superintendent Ron Stahley and the Town School Board take a similar approach to bullying as a teacher would. Understand that disagreement, conflict and bullying are bound to happen - with children and adults.
Begin by listening to the victim, and deal with the situation without being defensive. Don't make it a referendum on the entire school district. Show respect to a teacher who speaks up, as it is never easy to speak truth to power.
There is more and more literature and training available on workplace bullying, which would help the School Board develop effective procedures when bullying occurs. I also agree with the suggestion of “360” evaluations of principals and the Superintendent.
Leadership that knows how to deal with bullying effectively makes our teachers and schools stronger, not weaker, and sets a great example for the children in our school district.