An educator overhears a conversation between two students
An educator overhears a conversation between two students. One of the students is talking about witnessing other students picking on a student with an intellectual disability during the daily walk home. The behavior described includes taunting, pushing, and taking personal possessions. The educator hears the student say that he feels bad for the student who is being picked on but is afraid to confront his peers or report the behavior, particularly since the activity is not happening on school grounds. Discuss how the educator can address this issue. Include evidence from the “Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE)” and “Professional Dispositions of Learners” to support your ideas.
Sample Answer
The educator in this scenario is faced with a difficult situation. They have overheard students talking about bullying a student with an intellectual disability, and they need to decide how to address the issue.
The first step for the educator is to talk to the student who is reporting the bullying. This student is already showing signs of empathy and concern for the victim, and the educator can build on this by asking them questions about what they saw, how they felt, and why they are not comfortable confronting the bullies. The educator can also offer support and guidance to the student, and they can make sure that the student knows that they are not alone.