In 2025, many portions of the housing market are being shaped by a mix of affordability challenges, shifting buyer priorities, uneven price trends across the country and school evaluations; specifically the number of reported bullying events within the local neighborhood schools. Families are carefully weighing school quality, lifestyle, and cost of living when choosing where to settle, driving demand in top-performing school districts. All schools have bullying events that take place, however there are still schools that allow the bullying culture to survive with “old school” mentalities by administrators.
There are now many real estate web sites that feature school ratings on the individual internet home listings for consumers to evaluate which we applaud. The best remedy still is anonymous bully reporting for both students and teachers and anti bully training for all school employees. We have heard some exciting news coming out of BRIM Anti-Bullying Software. We have heard rumors that BRIM will soon launch a brand new online anti-bullying training program for teachers, counselors and administrators sometime this Fall
Back-to-school season is here again. As educators, administrators and school staff members, you play a key role in creating an environment where all students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. School is one of the most common places where bullying happens. With the attitude, rules and tools, you can help build a school culture that actively prevents bullying and keeps kids feeling secure safe. Taking action early in the school year can make a big difference in the lives of students and help them thrive in and outside the classroom.
Cyberbullying can be hard to spot. That’s why it’s even more important to stay aware of kids’ online activity and monitor their interactions when possible. If you notice warning signs that a child could be involved in cyberbullying, here are the steps you can take:
Don’t respond to any cyberbullying messages or forward them. Keep all evidence of cyberbullying. Take screenshots of each instance of cyberbullying and document the date and time that they happened. Block the person who is cyberbullying. Report the cyberbullying behavior to teachers or even the police depending upon the circumstances. Support the person who is being bullied. You can try to help by posting positive comments about the person being bullied, reaching out to the person who’s bullying to show your concern, and if possible, trying to determine if more support is needed, like a guidance counselor or mental health professional.
Parents and teachers, you can do your part to help stop cyberbullying by looking out for bullying behavior online. If you see someone being cyberbullied, don’t be afraid to stand up to the person cyberbullying and show them that what they’re doing is not okay. Together, we can help make social media a more positive environment.
Teasing is a natural part of human interaction. At times, it can uplift and strengthen relationships; at other times, it can cause discomfort or harm. While some educators may feel their classrooms should be entirely “tease-free,” the reality is that teasing is not going away. Rather than avoiding it altogether, the classroom offers a powerful opportunity to help students learn how to handle teasing in a healthy, constructive way.
What Is Teasing? Teasing is a form of social exchange that can be interpreted as positive, neutral, or negative, depending on the context and intent. When used in a pro-social manner, teasing can enhance relationships, ease social tension, and help students feel connected to a peer group.
Benefits of healthy teasing include:
It can be playful and lighthearted.
It fosters social bonding and group belonging.
It helps people navigate awkward or tense situations.
It brings people closer by sharing humor and vulnerability.
However, when teasing becomes hurtful or is used to assert dominance, it can cross the line into bullying.
When Teasing Turns into Bullying: Teasing becomes bullying when the intent shifts from humor or connection to harm, embarrassment, or social control. Understanding and teaching the distinction between teasing and bullying helps prevent misunderstandings, damaged relationships, and long-term emotional consequences.
Key Differences Between Teasing and Bullying:
Teasing Bullying- Strengthens relationships Harms or isolates others
Occurs between equals (e.g., same age, power, or status)
Occurs when there is a power imbalance
Maintains dignity and mutual respect
Aims to embarrass, shame, or control
Often involves shared humor, including harmless nicknames
Involves targeted insults, especially about appearance, culture, religion, or ability
Example: A classmate jokingly calls a friend “Professor” because they always have the answers—and both laugh. That’s likely friendly teasing. But calling someone “stupid” or mocking their accent? That’s bullying.
Teachers can help students build social-emotional skills by guiding them through how to recognize, respond to, and engage in appropriate teasing. Here are some strategies:
Teaching Students to Understand and Respond to Teasing:
Teach the Social Cues Model how to identify the difference between a serious comment and a joke. Use examples from your own life where teasing was either helpful or hurtful. Discuss tone, body language, and facial expressions as clues.
Practice Listening without Judgment If a student shares a concern about being teased, avoid immediately reassuring them (e.g., “Your clothes are beautiful!”). Doing so can unintentionally affirm victimhood. Instead:
Listen carefully.
Ask open-ended questions.
Help them create a plan to address the situation with confidence and maturity.
Responding When Teasing Crosses the Line: Teach students these simple steps:
Stay calm and assertive.
Ask the person to stop. (“I don’t think that’s funny. Please stop.”)If it continues, walk away or ignore it.
If it stops, acknowledge it. (“Thanks for stopping. It was bothering me.”)
If it doesn’t stop, report it to a trusted adult in person or in writing (signed or anonymous). Example: www.antibullyingsoftware.com
The Math of Teasing: A Fun Analogy Teasing, like math, has positive and negative values. A mean tease is negative (-). It divides, subtracts, and can make you feel small or hurt. It often comes from someone who doesn’t care about your feelings and wants to embarrass or isolate you.→ This is bullying. A kind tease is positive (+). It adds laughter, multiplies resilience, and can help build stronger connections. It comes from someone who cares about you and wants to include you.→ This is healthy, social bonding.
Final Thought: Instead of avoiding all teasing, let’s teach students to understand its social purpose, recognize its boundaries, and practice responding with grace, confidence, and empathy. These are lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
