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As I know in third grade getting picked on by Fifth Graders (which were scary at the time) You Must Fight Back!, It was a big undertaking by me, but it worked! And all of a sudden they were my best Bud's. It's the only True Way IMHO....., Crying to the Teacher Ain't Gonna Work.......

I used both of your methadologies.
As a much smaller than average child I learned to ignore words and fight back to LEAVE A VISABLE MARK on the person trying to bully me. I had no chance to actually win the fight.
The other kids would see the mark and ask about it. When questioned the bully would have to fess up that it was me that did the damage. All the other kids would then laugh at them and would say, "That little sh!t did that to you? You must be a wuss."
I lost a lot of battles but the war was won by the time I entered high school.
All the potential bullies KNEW they could whup on me. They also knew I WOULD leave a visable mark and it just wasn't worth it to them.

I agree, teachers believe that they are just children. Pity gets the best of them and they do not punish bullies like they should. Thus over the years, nothing changes.
Those who get bullied can do things like Jonesboro and Columbine, or go into what I did: Depression.

I believe that teachers need to crack down on bullying. Zero tolerance is ridiculous because it punishes the wrong people.