The Privilege of Witnessing True Educational Leadership

I recently had the extraordinary privilege of visiting the Barstow Unified School Board as they embarked on phase one of implementing our comprehensive reportbullying.com program. What I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable—a school district that truly understands that meaningful change begins with leadership commitment and district-wide collaboration.

The success of any anti-bullying initiative hinges on one critical factor: buy-in from the top. When administrators, board members, and district leaders are genuinely invested in creating safer schools, the entire educational ecosystem transforms. Barstow Unified exemplifies this principle perfectly, demonstrating how strategic planning and unified vision create the foundation for lasting change.

The Power of Preparation: Setting the Stage for Success

Before my arrival at Barstow, Joni James, the head of pupil services, demonstrated exceptional leadership by ensuring all schools within the district were prepared and aligned. This preparatory work cannot be overstated—it’s the difference between a program that struggles to gain traction and one that launches with momentum and purpose.

Why District-Wide Preparation Matters

Joni’s instrumental role in getting all schools on board created a unified front against bullying. This preparation meant that every principal, teacher, and staff member understood the program’s goals before implementation began. They weren’t being asked to adopt a foreign system; instead, they were joining a coordinated effort that their colleagues across the district were equally committed to supporting.

This level of coordination ensures that students receive consistent messaging regardless of which school they attend within the district. It eliminates confusion, closes gaps in coverage, and creates a safety net that extends throughout the entire educational community.

The Critical Role of Administrative Attendance at Assemblies

One aspect of our program that I emphasize repeatedly is the importance of having principals and teachers attend the anti-bullying assemblies. These assemblies serve a dual purpose that many districts initially overlook—they educate students AND the adults who guide them daily.

Understanding the Email Alert System

When principals attend our assemblies, something remarkable happens. They gain firsthand understanding of what our program teaches students, and this context becomes invaluable when they begin receiving our email alert system notifications. Each alert is designed to guide administrators through specific interventions and responses, and when principals have attended the assemblies, these alerts make immediate sense.

This creates a seamless communication loop between students and administration, ensuring that when a student speaks up about bullying, the adults in charge know exactly how to respond with the appropriate intervention strategies we’ve outlined in our comprehensive approach.

Meeting Exceptional Educational Professionals

Throughout my career visiting schools across the United States, I’ve had the honor of meeting countless dedicated educators. However, the class, professionalism, and genuine commitment displayed by the principals, board members, teachers, and even students at Barstow stands out as truly exceptional.

Every interaction reinforced my belief that this district possesses the essential ingredients for transformative success. The adults demonstrated a deep understanding that bullying prevention isn’t just another program to check off a list—it’s a fundamental commitment to student wellbeing that requires ongoing attention, resources, and refinement.

The students I encountered showed equal promise. They were engaged, respectful, and clearly ready to embrace the concepts we were introducing. This combination of administrative support and student receptivity creates the ideal environment for our program to flourish.

The Missing Piece: Comprehensive Teacher Training

Despite all the positive elements already in place, I identified one critical component that required attention: comprehensive teacher training. I’m thrilled to report that Barstow leadership recognized this need immediately, and teacher training is scheduled for August 2014.

Why Teacher Training Is Non-Negotiable

Teacher training represents the linchpin of effective anti-bullying programs. We teach students to speak up, to use their voices, and to report incidents when they occur. However, if the first adult they approach dismisses their concerns as “just a conflict” or “kids being kids,” we’ve done more harm than good.

That statistic sounds encouraging until you examine what happens when students report bullying they’ve experienced or witnessed. The reality becomes far more troubling.

The Dangerous Gap Between Witnessing and Responding

This stark disparity reveals a critical gap in most schools’ anti-bullying efforts. Teachers possess good intentions and are willing to act when they directly observe bullying. However, they often lack the training to properly evaluate and respond when students report incidents they haven’t personally witnessed.

Without proper training, teachers may inadvertently:

• Dismiss legitimate bullying as typical peer conflict
• Fail to document incidents properly, losing crucial pattern information
• Respond inconsistently, creating confusion about reporting procedures
• Inadvertently discourage future reporting by minimizing student concerns
• Miss opportunities for early intervention before situations escalate

When teachers automatically categorize reported incidents as conflicts rather than recognizing potential bullying, behavioral problems can actually increase. Students who feel unheard may act out in frustration, victims may retaliate when they believe adults won’t help them, and bullies learn they can continue their behavior without consequences.

The Path Forward: Barstow’s Bright Future

Barstow Unified School Board understands these nuances. Their commitment to comprehensive teacher training demonstrates sophisticated awareness that creating truly safe schools requires equipping every adult with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively when students find the courage to speak up.

With their district-wide buy-in, administrative attendance at assemblies, exceptional educational professionals, and upcoming teacher training, Barstow has positioned itself for remarkable success. I am genuinely excited to track the reduction in bullying incidents across their school system over the coming years.

This district serves as a model for others seeking to implement comprehensive anti-bullying programs. They’ve shown that success requires more than good intentions—it demands strategic planning, coordinated implementation, and unwavering commitment from every level of the educational hierarchy.