Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Bullied school bus monitor ‘fine’ with bully punishment

The upstate New York school bus monitor who was bullied by four seventh-graders says she’s satisfied that they’re being suspended for a year, the Associated Press reports. Speaking one day after the boys’ punishment was announced, Karen Klein told The Associated Press on Saturday that she wants to meet with the boys who tormented her.

“Oh yes, I would like to talk to them!” said the 68-year-old, speaking from her home in Rochester. “I want to ask them why they did it.”

What the four boys did was captured on video, mercilessly taunting Klein as she sat on the bus, gradually breaking down in tears. On Friday, the school system in the Rochester suburb of Greece suspended the four middle school students for a year, keeping them from regular bus transportation. How does Klein feel about this punishment?…Read More

Bullying of teachers more damaging in online era

Bullying of teachers has become increasingly cruel and even dangerous as students get access to advanced technology at earlier ages.

The bullying that bus monitor Karen Klein endured on a ride home from an upstate New York school was painful and egregious, but also shows how student harassment of teachers and administrators has become more spiteful and damaging in the online era.

Much attention has been paid to students who bully other students in class, after school, and on the internet. Less has been given to equally disturbing behavior by students who harass instructors, principals, and other adults.

It’s something that’s long existed; think ganging up on the substitute teacher. But it has become increasingly cruel and even dangerous as students get access to advanced technology at earlier ages.…Read More