There have been 3 school shootings lately and possibly more not televised.... does this make any of you think twice about how you teach or whether you want to continue to teach? I teach 8th gr. and located by Red Lake, Mn where last year a kid shot and killed about 8 people. I am sickened by these recent events but vow to keep teaching. What do you think teachers?
2006-09-29 15:31:47 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I am not a teacher but I have alot of empathy and respect for teachers. I have children of my own and would be terrified if I lived in certain parts of the world where there is more exposure of drugs, guns and violence. My children are my life and I love them very much. You have to be commended as a teacher not only because teachers are exceptional but because even when times are rough you continue to teach. We cannot make this life a better place to live in if we don't have teachers. Teachers need to continue to teach because this is where children learn that they can live a better life and teach them the knowledge and life skills they need in order to survive in this world. For some kids going to school is the only safe place they can go and where there sincerely is people that do care about their well being. We can only pray for their safety and everyone including yourself that lives in a life that may be unbearable due to violence. Thank you for being a teacher because I know my children love all of their teachers and you seem like one that I wish they did know.
2006-09-29 15:45:53 · answer #1 · answered by lovelyandcarefree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next week, we are having our first lockdown drill at the elementary school I teach at. This first one will be for staff only after the kids have gone home. It's been a hot topic in our school for the last 2 weeks. Do we open the door for a kid pounding on it, when we don't know if the gunman/dangerous person is just out of our line of sight? Do we risk harming 20 other children to save one? It is a terrible feeling to deal with. I'm in a small, well-to-do district, but that doesn't make us invincible. If it happens in my school, I'd do everything I can to protect my students.
I take some comfort in knowing that it is rare for a school shooting to take place in an elementary school, but it's still scary to think about.
Even so, I wouldn't give up my teaching job, just to feel safer. There are dangers everywhere we go...everytime we get in a car or walk down the street.
2006-09-30 03:44:48 · answer #2 · answered by cherub2031 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am scared, yes. We have had threats at my school and there was shooting where I teach, but many years ago. The person who was shot still teaches there. We have precautions in place, but that does not mean that it is impossible for it to happen.
I keep my door shut and locked at all times while I am teaching. It may not stop someone, but it can deter them and maybe they will choose to move on past my room. I get nervous during fire drills and we have been evacuated twice in the past 6 months. My students understand that they must stay with me during fire drills and that I am there to take care of them. Most teachers in high school are not that strict about it, but I want to know that my kids are safe.
We practice lock down drills and to be honest it really does scare me. It makes me angry when people do not want to pass levies, etc. Any teacher would put their life on the line if it came down to it. I did not choose to be a police officer, but I think that I did choose a profession that has risks.
I would never stop teaching. I love to teach. I would do everything in my power to protect my students. I think that if it came down to it, they would do anything possible to protect me. They know that I care.
Perhaps self defense courses would be helpful for teachers. If we learned some defensive moves that could help to slow someone down or even stop them it could a huge asset.
2006-09-29 16:42:58 · answer #3 · answered by Melanie L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I teach in an urban setting, and as of right now, I am not scared. It is my job to teach my children right from wrong and be aware of those who may be having problems...teaching is not just testing! However, I do understand how one could be scared. These days children are so alone with no one to talk to, no role models at home, and too many ideas being put out there in the media.
2006-09-29 15:43:52 · answer #4 · answered by littlebit17 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a teacher who came to our school years ago and was wheelchair bond due to being shot in the back by a student. I am amazed by this teacher's courage. I know school violence happens more often than it is advertised on television. Every county/state has a report card that tracks among other things, violence in a school setting. I wonder if there is a national report card that totals those numbers. Maybe it's best not to know...
2006-09-29 18:14:07 · answer #5 · answered by PJ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I does scare me a little bit-but then again what job doesn't have its risks? I am still going to continue studying for my teaching degree.
2006-09-29 19:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by Short 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sure can give one second thoughts on the subject..
2006-09-29 15:40:31 · answer #7 · answered by Lore 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋