In April, 1999, two high school students killed 13 people at Columbine High School in Aurora, Colorado. The parent of one of my students pulled me aside the day after and asked if I would consider carrying a handgun at school (the family were big hunters and had many firearms). I told her, "The day that I need to carry a gun to school is the day that I quit teaching."
A friend of mine is a retired teacher who taught inner-city high school students in Los Angeles. He told me that he kept his briefcase open on his desk as he lectured and put facts on the chalkboard. What the students couldn't see was a .357 Magnum in the briefcase that he had at-the-ready in fourth period, as a teen had threatened to kill him.
Today, America and the world mourn for the adults and children murdered in a Conneticut elementary school. I saw an emotional President address us to offer solace. I hurt. I can't fathom how this morning, parents dropped off their children and said, "I love you! See you tonight!!" and smiling faces filled a classroom to learn, laugh, explore...
How does a school counselor call a parent at work and say, "Please come to the school immediately, there has been an accident, and your daughter, Melissa, is hurt badly" (Melissa will be dead by the time dad gets acros the police barricade and into the school).
Right now, parents are staring at empty beds, clothes hanging in a closet, a favorite pillow, soccer shoes, and hidden toys that they have bought to give to their children for Christmas in 11 days...
I have no answers. I have no new ideas. I am just sick with grief.
Friday, December 14, 2012
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