I am appalled, disheartened, and utterly frustrated. Despite my repeated attempts to reach out to my elected officials, I see no signs of progress. The influence of the NRA seems to stifle any meaningful action. Today, I reached my breaking point with their staffers.
Starting Monday, I’m determined to take a more assertive approach. Here’s my strategy:
I plan to introduce myself with my name, address, and phone number, just as I always do. I will share that I am a second-grade educator in Duluth, Georgia, and a mother of three. I’ll weave in the charm of our community and then pose a crucial question: What concrete steps will the senator, representative, or governor take to advocate for gun violence prevention legislation? How will they work to halt the senseless violence that claims innocent lives?
I will recount my experiences since the tragedy at Sandy Hook. I’ll explain that I conduct intruder drills with my young students, teaching them to take shelter in a bathroom in the event of an active shooter situation. I’ll emphasize the importance of remaining calm, silent, and patient. My top priority is to ensure these children return home to their families every day. To make our drills more manageable, I turn on the bathroom fan to mitigate the heat and muffle any sounds of distress that may arise during a crisis. I keep Tootsie Pops in my emergency bag to soothe and quiet the children, which might help save their lives. I also pack beautiful picture books and flashcards filled with calming images and words, hoping they could be the last comforting things these kids see. I stand firm against the door, shielding them from potential danger.
I will share that I train my own children to be quiet and still during their drills, as their lives could be at stake. I genuinely hope their teachers are prepared and have effective plans in place.
It’s a heavy burden to think about a shooter in our school, knowing my role is to protect others’ children while I can’t ensure the safety of my own. I will mention the time our elementary school received a shooter threat, leading to a SWAT team response and a lockdown that lasted three harrowing hours. I wasn’t even present, yet the anxiety of that day haunted me in nightmares.
I’ll reflect on a recent experience taking my eight-year-old to a concert where I received an Atlanta Teacher Award. The thrill of the moment was overshadowed by the horror of the Las Vegas tragedy, realizing that a similar fate could have befallen us.
If they haven’t hung up by then, I will make it clear that I am fulfilling my responsibilities as both a mother and a teacher, while our elected officials have done nothing to protect our children.
I will continue to call, day after day, insisting they take action on this urgent issue. The time for change is now.
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In summary, it’s imperative that we demand action against gun violence. As educators and parents, we deserve assurances that our children are safe in their schools. We must hold our leaders accountable for their inaction and advocate for the safety of our communities.