Training forms the foundation of a successful bullying prevention program. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program advises that school administrators participate in training along with every adult involved in overseeing, planning, and implementing the program, including:
- Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee members
- teachers
- substitute teachers
- counselors
- after-school program providers
- school resource officers
- support staff
- playground aides
- bus drivers
- cafeteria workers
- custodial staff
- parents
Training for the Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee
Members of the Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee are strongly encouraged to attend a two-day training conducted by a certified Olweus trainer. In this training session, Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee members will build anti-bullying knowledge and learn key strategies to address bullying, which makes them your resident bullying prevention experts.
Following the initial two-day training, your certified Olweus trainer will continue to provide telephone consultations to a point person selected from your committee for up to one year.
Training Teachers and Staff
Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee members will reinforce their role as resident bullying experts and informative resources by conducting training for all teachers and other school staff. This full-day training (or two half-day blocks) will give staff a basic understanding of bullying and the importance of taking a systems-change approach to the problem.
During the training, Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee members will use results from the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire administered at the school to demonstrate site-specific bullying problems. Teachers will learn how to implement classroom and parental components of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and all staff will get the knowledge and empowerment they need to intervene during individual bullying situations.
Certified Olweus Trainers
More than 600 educators have been trained and certified in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. These educators offer 2-day training sessions for Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committees that are highly recommended for schools implementing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Trainers also offer ongoing phone support.
If you are planning district-wide implementation or you will have several buildings with their own Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committees, you may want to select a highly qualified individual to become a certified Olweus trainer. Training of Trainers can be requested in your state, or an individual may attend scheduled Training of Trainers events.
Visit Clemson University, the U.S. home for research and training to support the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, for more information about training and training costs.
See a list of certified Olweus trainers.
