Bullying is a huge problem for our nation’s young people. Recent studies indicate that at least 1 in every 5 children are bullied in school by the age of 18 – and over half of teens admit to being bullied online. Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks to a bullying intervention specialist, as well as a middle and high school adjustment counselor, about what constitutes bullying and what parents and teachers can do to protect children so they can thrive.

In this episode, you'll learn about the long-term effects bullying can have on both targets and aggressors, and how to shift this damaging paradigm; which populations are more likely to become targets of bullying, and how adults can help protect these individuals; and, strategies parents and kids can use to stop bullying in its tracks if and when it occurs.

About Our Guests:

Connie Mahoney is the former Director of Prevention & Intervention Services for Springfield (MA) Public Schools, where she led the development of the bullying prevention policy and intervention plan from 2010 through 2015. She has worked as both an instructor and public speaker on bullying, and also developed curriculum for the Committee for Children’s Think Tank, a research-based program widely used in schools throughout the country. She is currently serving as Assistant Principal at a high school in Massachusetts.

Bethany Menard is a school adjustment counselor who has experience working with children and teens in a variety of age groups. Currently she works at the middle school level, where she helps students, parents, teachers, and administrators resolve issues around bullying, assault, and mental health and seeks to reduce the frequency and severity of bullying on campus.