Active Bystander Scenarios
SET #1
What impact will this scenario have on your colleague/team/community?
What potential impact would not disrupting the behaviour have?
How do you feel in the moment? What emotions might you feel in the scenario?
How might you be an active bystander in that moment?
Teacher/Staff to Student Active Bystander Scenarios
Situations that require a response in the moment they happen.
(Group 1) Just as you enter your classroom to begin teaching, you overhear a student tell another student she is short because “she was adopted” and “lacked nutrients.” The second student looks visibly upset but doesn’t say anything. The class is so loud that no one else seems to have noticed.
(Group 2) It’s “casual day” and while on staff duty at lunch, you notice two students walking together. One of the boys says out loud, “Your shirt is so short. Are you trying to get my attention?”
(Group 3) During the lunch break, you see a group of boys heading your way. They’re talking loudly as they walk though a common area, and you hear them use vulgar and explicit homophobic comments. A colleague walks by and says “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that”.
(Group 4) While watching an emotional film, many of your students are moved. One boy begins tearing up and his friend notices and laughs, “That’s so gay.”
SET #2
How do you feel in the moment? What emotions does the scenario trigger?
How might you be an active bystander in that moment?
Colleague to Colleague
Situations that require a response in the moment they happen.
(Group 1) You and a colleague are with a member of the administration who is making inappropriate comments in front of a colleague of colour who is visibly uncomfortable with the comments. The administrator appears to be aware of the fact that your colleague is uncomfortable.
(Group 2) During a meeting where the new HOD is announced, one of your colleagues who was on the hiring panel is not pleased with the decision. You hear them say under their breath that the person was only selected because “there’s a big push for diversity right now.”
(Group 3) During a meeting where the new HOD is announced, one of your colleagues who was on the hiring panel is not pleased with the decision. You hear them say under their breath that the person was only selected because “there’s a big push for diversity right now.” There are several people of diverse backgrounds within earshot but you’re not sure if they heard the comment.