Let me start this post without political hope or agenda: What follows is an experience my colleagues and I underwent during active shooter training in our school as part of a Missouri statute.
This training involved multiple safety agencies, and featured a live shooter firing shotgun blanks as we were stationed in various parts of the school building. We did not know when he was going to start the drills.
The goal was to help us understand the situation and how to react in this situation to keep our students safe.
I was a little nervous about the day. I did not know how I would react to the actual situation, or how 'real' this simulation was going to be.
When you hear a shot fired in a place you have so many great memories and love, things change.
I can safely say that every teacher and staff member reacted like it was the real thing. I know this, because I did, too.
Without going into too many details, the day was intense. I saw some of my friends with looks on their faces that were genuinely terrified, as I am sure they saw in me as well.
But that didn't matter.
Even though we could see the fear in our lead teachers and felt the fear ourselves, they reacted with sharp directions and quick thinking, even with chaos happening around them. Once we were given the all clear, we could feel each other relax from the adrenaline rush and process what happened. I learned a lot about myself, and how I would react in this situation. Now I feel more prepared in that I know my weaknesses, and can do better leading the kids I am responsible for.
Without hesitation, I can categorically say we became teachers to help kids learn, and make the world a better place. Seeing the brave actions of those around me (law enforcement and teachers) is a reminder of why we teach and that there will
always be more light than dark in the world.
Hug your kids, your partner, your loved one, the person sitting next to you as you read this, a law enforcement official, anyone.
Hug a teacher.
