Teacher and Student Perceptions of Bullying and Victimization in a Middle School

The middle school climate was viewed by some respondents as one that tolerates bullying. Teachers were not always aware of the bullying that occurred or committed to efforts to react to what was seen. Disciplinary and educational efforts aimed at responding and reducing the bullying was seen as ineffective by several of the participants. Student victims and non-victims were often unwilling to disclose the bullying they experienced for fear of repercussions by the bully and many of the students held the belief that the school leadership did not care or that teacher and administrator response would not help.

The middle school climate was viewed by some respondents as one that tolerates bullying. Teachers were not always aware of the bullying that occurred or committed to efforts to react to what was seen.