By: Sarah Thompson
Date: Feb. 24, 2023
Photo by: Hero Images / Getty
No educator signed up to be a human shield.
Teaching is a profession filled with challenges and sacrifices. From low salaries and a lack of respect to the burden of unpaid overtime, the list of hurdles is extensive. Fortunately, most educators find joy in their work. We witness the transformative impact we have on our students. We cultivate their growth both academically and personally. We build trusting relationships with parents, who rely on us to nurture and educate their children to the best of our abilities. The sacrifices we make are well known and accepted in our pursuit of a vocation we believe in.
However, there are sacrifices now being imposed on teachers that were never part of the deal.
Many professions involve individuals knowingly putting their lives at risk for others. Our military personnel and first responders earn our deepest respect for shouldering the weight of this reality every single day, aware that each dawn could bring the ultimate price for their chosen path.
They are trained for such outcomes. This risk is inherent in their professions.
In contrast, I am not equipped for combat. I have never encountered live fire or received training on how to engage an active shooter effectively to minimize casualties.
I teach history. My focus is on guiding students to find meaning in the past. I teach economics, helping them understand market dynamics. I teach government, having pursued a degree to comprehend our political systems.
I honor those who serve in the military and law enforcement. It was not a choice I felt I could make. I briefly considered that path but was troubled by the thought of taking another person’s life. I opted for a different career.
I was prepared to make sacrifices to become a teacher, but the notion of possibly giving my life as part of this profession never crossed my mind.
Yet, this has become a grim reality for many in the educational field. I’ve spoken with countless students, many of whom expect their teachers to protect them from potential violence. Some educators have made this sacrifice, and I believe, God forbid, should the situation arise, I would too. Our students are like our own children. Parents place a sacred trust in teachers as caregivers and guides. I would hope that my children’s teachers would do the same for my son and daughter.
However, I wouldn’t blame them if they chose otherwise.
They didn’t sign up to be human shields. The role of a teacher was never meant to come with the possibility of sacrificing one’s life.
Yet, here we are—living in a nation where schools, once sanctuaries for our children, have become targets.
It’s a troubling reality that few educators haven’t contemplated where an attack might originate or how to respond. There are no classrooms where the question, “What would we do?” hasn’t been debated.
We argue about the causes. We offer prayers, mourn, protest, and express our outrage. Yet, we often do nothing.
Meanwhile, children continue to lose their lives.
I don’t want your guns.
But I refuse to be a human shield.
Would I lay down my life for my students? I believe I would.
And then my two children would grow up without a father—much like the families of teachers affected by these tragedies.
More guns are not the solution. Arming teachers is not the answer. Increased firearms lead to more bullets, more shootings, and greater risk of death and destruction.
Perhaps it’s a mental health issue. Maybe it’s a race issue. There could also be an element of toxic masculinity involved. But one thing is clear: it’s fundamentally a gun issue. Fewer guns translate to fewer school shootings. It’s simple math.
The root cause doesn’t need to be pinpointed before we take action. There are steps we can implement to begin preventing these tragedies. We don’t need to identify a single cause before we act.
It’s plausible that a determined individual, faced with challenges in obtaining a firearm, may resort to alternative methods to inflict harm at schools. Let’s make it harder for anyone to carry out such acts. We can address new issues as they arise.
This is a pressing concern that demands attention.
Feel free to keep your hunting rifles and handguns. I don’t want them. Uphold the Second Amendment, but let’s make acquiring firearms more difficult. If you’re responsible, you won’t mind. You can still enjoy your rights. And perhaps, just maybe, I won’t be expected to take a bullet for your child.
In closing, let’s strive for a future where our educators can focus on teaching, not on shielding our students from violence. For more discussions on related topics, check out this informative piece on boosting fertility supplements, and for insights into pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is invaluable. Additionally, this article provides authoritative insights on this critical subject.
Summary:
This article addresses the increasing concern over school safety and the unexpected responsibilities placed on teachers in today’s society. It highlights the sacrifices educators make, contrasting them with those of military and first responders. The author emphasizes the need for stricter gun control measures to protect students and educators, advocating for a future where teachers can focus solely on education rather than violence prevention.