More Guns is Not the Answer

This issue has a variety of different opinions. Everyone has the right to their own views, and I certainly respect other perspectives. However, here are my thoughts from the discussion of allowing teachers to carry guns inside schools.

Education has always been a reflection of society. The paradigm shifts and issues in society find their way into our school doors across the nation. School violence is on every parent's mind. Each day, parents drop off their most prized possession to schools, either private or public, and expect that their child will spend the day in a safe, non-threatening learning environment. When an event happens in our country that is as devastating as the Florida shooting, doubt, uncertainty, fear, worry, and an abundance of other emotions flow. We feel helpless. We want to do something to assist. We want change. We want assurance. And....we want it NOW!

So what happens? Many jump to knee jerk reactions of what will solve this issue. What is the "magic action" that will fix this situation to ensure that it never happens again? What has been the knee jerk reaction of this latest event? Teachers carrying guns.

When I went into education 25 years ago, I never dreamed that this would even be discussed, much less considered. Unless you have walked in the shoes of an educator, you are not fully aware of the stress that our teachers endure each day - and are happy to do it. It is not as simple as direct instruction. We ask our teachers to teach rigorous standards, differentiate the various levels of learning in the classroom, meet the emotional needs of students, ensure the basic needs of students are met, handle health concerns, answer all parent questions within 24 hours, plan 6-8 different lesson plans each day, continue professional learning, participate in after-school family engagement activities, attend weekly Professional Learning Community meetings, practice regular safety drills, plan field trips, motivate the unmotivated, and the list goes on and on. Our teachers are well-trained to do all of these things. They attended four years of college or more, to obtain this expertise. Teachers did not go into the profession to add "carrying a gun and defending the school" to their list of skills.

Carrying a gun is serious business, especially when it involves children. This idea comes with many unintended consequences. 

• Teachers did not go into this profession to act as police officers. They have enough stress doing what they have been trained to do. This will deter potential effective educators from wanting to enter this profession. We could even lose a few current educators that are essential to the effectiveness of our schools!
• Accidents happen. We are all human. The number of guns increasing in school only increases the likelihood of an accident.  It could be left somewhere, it could misfire, or it could get in the hands of the wrong person. Worse yet, a teacher could make a split second decision that is not correct and innocent people are harmed. While all of these are unlikely, educators would not be able to live with themselves if they knew they caused harm to a student or innocent person. They didn't go into the profession for this.
• While the majority of our teachers are ethical, dedicated, hard working professionals, systems occasionally deal with disgruntled employees. Adding access to guns inside the school building is not beneficial in this situation.
• May we never forget Inskip Elementary. A teacher, currently working, shot the Principal and Assistant Principal. He had to leave the building to get access to a gun. If a gun would have been available to him in the building, I can't imagine. The principal is paralyzed and her life has been forever changed by his poor choice. We can't do anything that would make this horrific event easier to happen.
• What message are we sending our students when their teacher is instructing class with a gun attached to his/her side? 

We are blessed in our system to have a full-time School Resource Officer in each building. The City of Clinton pays for us to have this added layer of security. Our police officers have attended extensive training to learn how to react in a crisis situation. They have all attended a rigorous Police Academy that lasts for months. They receive ongoing training and simulations to keep their training fresh. Their sole focus is on the security of our building, and they have intense intuitions/reactions that keep our buildings safe. This is their passion and priority. Let them do their jobs. Let them protect our buildings as they have been trained to do. Let teachers teach. Forty hours of training for teachers does not even touch the level of expertise that our SROs have.

So what do we do? What works?

• Relationships. We must develop good relationships with our students, parents, and community members. Maintaining an open line of communication and offering an abundance of student supports is our main line of defense. 
• SROs. I can't say enough. The positive relationships that they build with our students, staff, and parents is immeasurable. Our teachers will attest that there is a huge level of comfort knowing that they are there.
• Controlled access to buildings.  
• Cameras.
• Film for doors and windows that prevent outsiders from gaining access by breaking a window.
• Training.
• Awareness. 
• Student mental health services.
• Partnerships with Police Dept. and other emergency responders.
• A comprehensive safety plan that is practiced.
• Door magnets for easy lock down (currently not allowed by Fire Marshall)

Will this list be the "magic action" that 100% prevents a tragedy from occurring? Unfortunately, no. We live in a broken society. We see the ramifications of this in Walmart, churches, parks, shopping malls, and yes....even schools. However, there is one thing I know for sure. There is not a teacher in our system that would not lay their life down for a kid. There is not a teacher in our system that does not take school security seriously. School safety is on the forefront of everyone's mind. But let's let professionals do the job in which they have been trained. Let's keep the discussion going about what is occurring in society that is causing this violence. It is not just a school issue. It is a society issue. 

Arming our teachers is a knee jerk reaction with many unintended consequences. In my mind, it is a "cheap" way to address school security that will not serve us well. The above supports take money. Not every school system is as blessed as mine. Schools can't do all of these things alone. It takes the state, community, and businesses coming together to agree that we will do whatever it takes to make our schools safe - no matter the cost. However, we all need to make the committment to think things through and not quickly pass laws and policies that may not be in the school's best interest.

May we love our children enough to think seriously about decisions we are making that impact the innocent. As for me, I will advocate for relationships, partnerships, discussions, and additional ways to prevent violence from entering our buildings.  Our kids are worth it. Our focus needs to be on prevention just as much as our reaction. My prayer is that we give this subject the time and attention that it deserves and make decisions that will benefit children and teachers - not pose an additional threat.