Beyond "Be Kind": What Trauma-Informed Schools Need to Understand About Bullying, Belonging, and Power

Bullying is more than unkind behavior: it is often shaped by power, peer dynamics, exclusion, and a student's sense of belonging within the school community. This article explores how trauma-informed schools can move beyond "be kind" messaging to better understand relational aggression, support students who experience harm, hold students accountable without shame, and use restorative practices to strengthen relationships. Rather than focusing only on stopping bullying after it occurs, educators can build school environments where students experience meaningful connection, safety, dignity, and belonging as part of everyday school life.