No educator ever intended to become a human shield.
Teaching is a profession laden with challenges and sacrifices. We grapple with inadequate pay, lack of respect, and relentless scrutiny. Yet, for many of us, the benefits outweigh the negatives. We witness our impact firsthand, guiding students as they evolve both personally and academically. We build relationships rooted in trust with parents, who entrust us with their children’s education and well-being. We accept these sacrifices to pursue a career we are passionate about.
However, there are demands being placed on educators today that were never part of the agreement.
Certain professions, such as those in the military and emergency services, involve an inherent risk to life. These individuals deserve our utmost respect for bearing the weight of such a responsibility, knowing that each day could bring the ultimate sacrifice. They are prepared for these outcomes; such risks are well understood when they choose their paths.
As an educator, I lack the combat training necessary to confront an active shooter. My expertise lies in teaching history, economics, and government. I focus on helping students derive meaning from the past, understand market dynamics, and grasp the workings of our political systems.
I commend those who join the military or law enforcement; it was not a path I felt was right for me. While I briefly contemplated such a career, I wrestled with the moral implications of taking a life. Consequently, I chose to embark on a different journey.
I accepted the sacrifices required to be a teacher, but the thought of risking my life as part of this profession never crossed my mind. Yet, this has become a daunting reality for educators. Many of my students express an expectation that their teachers will protect them from potential threats. I believe, should the worst occur, I would instinctively act in defense of my students; they are like my own children. There exists a sacred trust between parents and teachers as guardians of their kids. I would hope that my children’s teachers would do the same for them.
Yet, I wouldn’t blame any teacher for choosing otherwise. They did not enter this profession to become human shields. Teaching was never meant to entail the possibility of sacrificing one’s life.
Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a nation where schools, once sanctuaries for children, have become sites of tragedy.
Most educators have contemplated potential threats and discussed response strategies. The question of “what would we do?” is not unfamiliar in any classroom. We engage in debates about causes, offer our thoughts and prayers, mourn losses, protest, and express our rage—yet, we often remain stagnant while children continue to die.
I do not want your firearms. But I also refuse to be a human shield.
Would I lay down my life for my students? I believe I would. But that would mean my own two children growing up without a father, just like too many families of teachers who have faced similar tragedies.
More guns do not equate to safety. Arming educators is not the solution. Increased firearms lead to more bullets, more violence, and greater risk of devastation.
Perhaps this issue encompasses mental health, race, or even toxic masculinity. Regardless, it fundamentally revolves around firearms. Fewer guns would likely mean fewer school shootings; it’s a simple equation.
While identifying the root cause may be complex, we can take actionable steps to prevent these tragedies. We do not need to pinpoint the singular cause before we initiate change.
If a determined individual faced significant barriers to acquiring a firearm, they might seek alternative methods to inflict harm. Let’s create obstacles that compel potential perpetrators to consider their actions more carefully.
This pressing issue requires our immediate attention. Maintain your hunting rifles and handguns— I do not desire them. Uphold the Second Amendment, but make obtaining firearms more challenging. If you are responsible, you should have no objections. You retain your rights, and perhaps, just perhaps, I won’t be compelled to shield your child with my own life.
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In summary, the profession of teaching should not entail the risk of life. As educators, we are entrusted with the care of students, yet we are not equipped to be their protectors in violent scenarios. A call for responsible firearm regulation is necessary to enhance the safety of our children in educational settings.