By Joseph R. Jones

Recently, one of my college students asked, “How can I teach tolerance when so many parents have anti-tolerant beliefs?” After reflecting, I realized her question was incredibly valid. Bullying is a tremendous problem in schools. In fact, national media recently discussed how another student committed suicide because of bullying. It is such a tremendous problem that national anti-bullying campaigns and anti-bullying legislation have become normal occurrences in many states.

As a college professor, I instruct teachers to teach tolerance as a method to combat bullying in schools. I instruct my students to use children’s books such as “The Princess Boy” and others. I encourage secondary teachers to utilize literature with marginalized characters to open classroom discussions about differences.

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Jones is an assistant professor of
education in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership at Radford University.