Everyone harbors some stereotypes and prejudices. In a 1999 Teaching Tolerance survey, teachers reported that they hear biased comments more often from colleagues than from students. Teachers have a special responsibility to search within themselves for these biases and try to eliminate them. They also have a responsibility to intervene whenever the attitudes or actions of their colleagues jeopardize the welfare of any student. Teachers whose biases go unchallenged can easily apply or transmit these attitudes to students or be insensitive to expressions of bias in the classroom.

Responding to colleagues' or supervisors' biased comments or actions can be extremely difficult. In some situations, teachers may worry that such a response could jeopardize their job. The following suggestions range from quiet persuasion to direct action:

• Be a role model. This means being constantly alert to your own attitudes and actions to ensure that you don't slip into stereotypical thinking. As one teacher put it, "I have to constantly tell myself to deal with each student as a person, not part of a group." By letting your colleagues see you consistently treat all students fairly; respect each as an individual; avoid racist, sexist and homophobic jokes and comments; and actively strive to establish a democratic climate in your classroom, you are setting a good example for them as well as for your students.

• Befriend the bigot. While this is not always easy (since you may be prejudiced against them because you think they're prejudiced!), this approach can have a quiet but powerful impact on a biased colleague. Getting to know the person can afford you an opportunity to explore the reasons behind his or her attitudes, as well as allow you to share with that person your own commitment to equity and respect.

• Don't tune out disparaging remarks. When you hear hateful words in the teacher's lounge, speak up. Silence, or even worse, laughter, suggests agreement with what was said. Practice an appropriate response until you feel comfortable with it. Suggestions might include: "I don't want to put you on the spot, but that kind of remark makes me uncomfortable." "Donald, I really can't go along with that kind of humor." Such comments can be offered pleasantly, and everyone in the room will probably take note. Be prepared for defensive comebacks and suggest further discussion later. One consolation: Interrupting bias gets easier with practice.