Bullying response for teachers

What to do

1. 1

   Ensure safety and stay calm

   Separate students if needed and de-escalate; avoid publicly calling out or “mediating” between a target and the student bullying them.

2. 2

   Document what you witnessed

   Objective facts only — date, time, place, what was said or done, and who was present. Avoid conclusions about intent.

3. 3

   Report under your policy

   Notify the designated administrator your anti-bullying policy names, and keep a copy of what you submitted.

4. 4

   Flag the rights angle

   If conduct targets race, national origin, sex, disability, or religion, note it — it can trigger civil-rights duties for the school.

5. 5

   Support the student

   Connect them with the counselor, and share crisis resources if there’s any sign of self-harm or danger.

In-depth guides

Free tools for this

• Document an incident
• For organizations

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to report what a student tells me in confidence?

Follow your school’s policy and mandatory-reporting rules. Bullying reports generally need to go to the designated administrator, and any sign of abuse or danger has its own reporting duties — when in doubt, ask your administrator or school counselor.