New Perspective

Yesterday's tragic event in Connecticut brought new perspective to me.  Whenever I hear about school shootings, I am saddened but not struck full of fear.  Why?  Because I teach at an elementary school and something like this would never happen.  I always thought that those sort of things only happened at middle and high schools. I never had reason to fear.   I think of situations where people are bullied by their peers until finally they break. 

Travis texted me at lunch yesterday and told me that there was a shooting at an elementary school.  I was in shock.  Not knowing any other information, I wondered what happened or what would compel a student to do such a thing.  After school, we had a staff meeting to discuss the issue.  I found out that 27 people were confirmed dead and it was an adult man that did the shooting.  When I got back to my classroom, I checked my email and had a message from Travis' brother.  The school is located 25 miles from him and there are students in his stake that attend that school.  (one of them being a kindergartener that did not survive)  It kept getting closer and closer to home for me. 

As I drove home, I called my mom to find out more details.  It was a kindergarten classroom.  Kindergarten!  That's when I broke down.  I can not imagine all my little kiddos being faced with that situation.  What would I/could I have done?  Would I have tried to stop him?  Would I freeze?  Would I stay calm and try to get my kids to safety?  What would I say and do to the shooter and my kids? 

As I was glued to the tv the rest of the evening, all I could think about were the teachers and students at that school as well as my own.  I am impressed with the reactions of the teachers.  They stayed calm and tried to keep the children's minds occupied with good thoughts.  They tried to protect them from the images and reality of the situation.  I am impressed with the students.  From what I understand, the students stayed calm and listened to their teachers.  They did not yell or scream or run.  They walked single file over to the fire station. 

My heart goes out to all those students and staff that lost their lives in this tragic event.  It has brought new light to the reality of the situation and made me think about what I should do if this ever happened at my school.  I am grateful for the wonderful staff at my school and I will definitely hug my kids a little bit tighter as they leave me for Christmas break this coming week.