NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Gang members are getting more sophisticated and communicating in unexpected ways. Teachers now have to learn what to look for in class, and it goes beyond bandannas and colorful clothing.

Video: Teachers Learn To Detect Gang Signs

District leaders know realistically they're not going to be able to get rid of gangs in Metro schools overnight, but what they are doing is making sure teachers are armed with some inside knowledge.

Gangs in Nashville's public schools often times make themselves known in some not-so-obvious ways.

"(We're) making sure they know the lingo, they know what signs to look for," said Darren Kennedy, who works with troubled students in Metro schools.

Kennedy and several school behavior specialists are now teaching teachers. They've come up with a detailed presentation on gangs in schools. It's helping teachers across the district spot potential trouble and offer support.

"Being that he's a gang member doesn't mean that he's not a student and can't learn," said Kennedy.

Instructors are being told to look out for signs such as cuts in a student's eyebrows, one pant leg rolled up, students with colored bracelets and even a student standing against a locker -- which all can indicate a student's gang affiliation.

Kennedy also said gang members will rap lyrics from popular hip hop artists.

"We hear that Lil Wayne represents, you know, the Blood gang, and Snoop represents the Crips gang, so we're having students walking down the hallway singing both songs," said Kennedy. "That may be an indication of some friction."

Vickie Riggan is an English teacher at Cohn Alternative in west Nashville. The behavior specialists are also working one-on-one with teachers like Riggan, who said she had a concern about a symbol a student scribbled on his notebook.

"We've learned that, yes, there are symbols, certain ways of writing letters or numbers, even, that do represent a particular gang," said Riggan.

Leaders said the purpose of these news lessons is not to get teachers picking on certain kids but for them to start looking at gang indicators as a whole so they can be proactive.

Because gang indicators change all the time, this group said it will be regularly talking to teachers and updating their presentation. Another district-wide gang presentation for teachers is scheduled for January.

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