No Place for Bullying

Jim Dillon has been an educator for over 35 years, including 20 years as a school administrator. While he was the principal of Lynnwood Elementary in New York, he developed the Peaceful School Bus Program, designed to prevent and reduce bullying, and subsequently published The Peaceful School Bus (Hazelden). The program is now being implemented in schools across the country. Jim was named Principal of the Year in 2007 by the Greater Capital District Principal Center. He received recognition for administrative leadership for character education. In 2010, Lynnwood Elementary was recognized by NYS ASCD for Educating the Whole Child for the 21st Century. Jim was an invited participant and presenter at the first National Summit on Bullying Prevention sponsored by the US Department of Education in 2010 and is a certified Olweus bullying Prevention Program trainer. Jim is currently an educational consultant for Measurement Incorporated. He makes presentations and conducts workshops on a variety of educational topics, including instruction, classroom management, leadership, and supervision. He has presented at many local, state and national conferences. He has four grown children, Ernie, Tim, Brian and Hannah. He and his wife, Louisa, a school social worker, live in Niskayuna, NY. "We had Jim out for a day of consulting. The participants were impressed with both Jim's style and his knowledge and presentation of the content. Jim is a totally genuine and gracious guy to work with. We would be happy to recommend him." - Connie Kramer, Removing Barriers - Mental Health, Fort McMurray Public Schools

Foreword Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Section 1: The Will 1. The Blind Spot of Bullying Prevention 2. The Moral Purpose and Obligation of Bullying Prevention 3. How We See It Is How We Solve It 4. Changing Your Mind(set) Section 2: The Skill 5. You Can't Bully Your Way to Bullying Prevention 6. Leadership for Bullying Prevention: What Not to Do and Not to Think 7. Leading Groups to Lead 8. The Human Face of Data 9. "Of the Students, by the Students, for the Students": What School Leaders Need to Know 10. "Of the Students, by the Students, for the Students": What School Leaders Need to Do Section 3: The Follow Through (Infrastructure) 11. Leadership for a Change 12. Policies, Programs, and Practices 13. Discipline in the Right Climate: Rules, Consequences, Supervision, and Intervention 14. Beyond the School Building: Parents, the School Bus, and the Digital World 15. Beyond Bullying Prevention: Climate Change for the Better Appendix: Bullying Prevention Resources References Index

"The book is outstanding. It walks you through the complexity of the issue and gives practical ways to implement the process through staff training activities." -- Holly Leach, Principal "Just in time! No Place for Bullying is an outstanding example of what is good in education today. This educational toolkit responds to a growing concern for the safety and protection of all students and their rights." -- Marian White-Hood, Director of Academics "I commend the author for compiling this resource along with the activities within. Bullying happens in most schools, and the knowledge, skills, and applications included in this text will be a great addition to the other resources available on bullying. The activities included are powerful and can be difference makers when trying to change behavior with a variety of stakeholders. WOW!!!" -- Harriet Gould, Adjunct Professor "There are many shifts and changes in education that take up a great deal of our time as instructional leaders. But what we all must remember is that students cannot learn in an environment that is not safe. In his book, No Place for Bullying: Leadership for Schools That Care for Every Student James Dillon (2012) states, "When in doubt, remind yourself and your colleagues about what really matters: having even one student walk through the school day a little less afraid and more hopeful than the day before" (p. 29). I was impressed by his organization of the book into the three keys to school climate and culture; the Will, the Skill, and the Follow Through (Infrastructure). He discusses difficulties a school leader may face while trying to find solutions to the problem of bullying. His suggestions for how to overcome those difficulties include multiple approaches that could be used in any situation. Dillon's approach is very administrator-friendly. He provides all the tools to begin formulating a plan with staff for addressing bullying. Each chapter begins with background information based on current research, a summary, and activities to do with staff. The activities are engaging with most using video clips as discussion starters. Most of the activities in the "Will" section of the book could be used to open discussion on any topic, not just bullying. His background as a school administrator is evident in the book. His recommendations are practical and help put into perspective how the approach of the school leader can have a deep impact on the success of any bullying prevention program. He also addresses many of the issues we all face when trying to get staff on board for a new or changing initiative." -- Amy Campbell, Middle School Principal "This book looks at the paradigm shifts that must occur for school-wide bullying programs to be effectively implemented by school administrators. Scores of issues are addressed like the blind spot in bullying prevention, programs and practices, ethical ramifications and solutions. In addition to an appendix of bullying prevention resources, No Place for Bullying also includes an extensive list of references and a well-organized index. The author of No Place for Bullying is an educator with 35 years of experience - 10 of them in the role of school administrator. While the book contains useful information for school administrators, No Place for Bullying has a decidedly American slant. Information is presented with an eye to legal and political ramifications. Despite those limitations, school administrators and those searching for extensive research on bullying prevention may find this book highly informative." -- Professionally Speaking: The Magazine of the Ontario College of Teachers