Occupation and life in education

 

I live in Westfield, Indiana and have been in education for 25 years.  I taught for 9 years in a private school and 16 years in the local public elementary school.  I am 59 years old.  

 

Columbine and its effects

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Yes, I do remember Columbine happening.  It was one of those events that I felt actually "stopped" the nation.  The feeling at the time was similar to what would have been felt for a presidential assassination attempt.  People just couldn't believe that it would actually happen - here in America!  Eyes were glued to the TV - like you just couldn't get enough information.  You didn't walk away in case new information surfaced or reasons were given for how such an unthinkable thing could happen - at a local level.  We expect, in some way, to hear of those happenings during a war - no one is protected then.  But on our soil - by our own people - to our own people - that was just mind-blowing!  Plus this was in our schools - by our young people.  Columbine wasn't by a mentally unstable adult who just happened to wander into the school.  This was our own people - hurting our own people.  Columbine brought a certain fear - a certain vulnerability at least - to home turf.

 

Controversies surrounding school shootings

 

In recent years there has been an escalation of school violence.  Now schools have to prepare their teachers for such events.  We walk our students through monthly drills so they know what to do - or not do - in case the unthinkable should come to our school.  At the elementary level, I personally hate having to prepare our students for "intruder" events.  I want their childhood to be just that - their childhood.  I want them to be carefree.  Our world isn't like that anymore though and it makes me sad.  It puts a certain weighty pressure on teachers.  We aren't just responsible for their safety (falls - cuts, etc.).  Now we may be responsible for their very lives.  Teachers now have conversations about certain troubled kids - that we hope that child doesn't remember us when they graduate from high school.  The thought enters our mind that this could be a potential child to come back for a "visit."

 

A difference in the way that the kids are reacting to the school shootings and becoming numb

 

I hope we aren't getting numb to these events but it certainly doesn't surprise us anymore.  It's almost like we are holding our breath waiting to hear the word of when - and where - it will strike next.  At the elementary level, I think teachers (and parents) try to shield our kids from news of these events.  We already have kids coming to school with anxiety issues about other uncontrollable events in their lives so we keep news of these events from them as much as is possible.  We do not discuss them at school with the children.  We do practice safety drills and have age-appropriate conversations with them, but we do not discuss current events about school shootings.

 

What are the biggest controversies surrounding school shootings?

 

It seems that the biggest controversies always come back to gun control.  As a Christian, I think it's truly a matter of the heart.  We don't change people by outward conformations.  I saw that even in the private school.  Students will conform because they have to "keep the rules."  Lasting change never happens this way.  We can change for a time that's true, but lasting change starts in the heart.  We know, as believers, that the change we need in the heart only comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.  

 

Reacting to an active shooter in schools

 

We do have procedures in place for an active shooter.  However, after the Noblesville event, I know the administrators all came together to talk to local law enforcement to see what and if further measures need to be put in place.  They are having public forums to discuss these issues and I expect changes will happen for the next school year.  I think we are ready for an outside intruder.  The inside intruder is actually more troubling since it is one of our own.  How do you defend against that??  I know - sad to say - that we even have to not believe "fire drills" anymore since that is how some of the shooters are getting kids into the hallways.  We have to take precautions even for what you would think would be a "normal" drill.  

 

Controversies on teachers being armed

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I'm a bit torn on the teachers carrying a gun conversation.  I'm probably more comfortable with guns because Neal works for the sheriff's department so I've been around guns.  I don't like the idea of having a gun with kids around though.  The safety precautions that would entail would be just another layer on to the whole situation.  I would probably be more in favor of having one in the building and only certain people knowing about it - but then that's risky because what if those people can't get to that location in an active shooter event - then what?  We are more for buying time and keeping our kids safe knowing that local help is quickly on the way.