Every few years, another school shooting brings the subject back to the forefront of the news.
Rarely do you actually hear from a teacher.
In my experience the level of safety was vastly different from private to public sector.
The private school that I worked at had an exceptional lock down procedure.
A specific loud siren would go off, and teachers would lock down the room.
They were required to reach any part of the school in less than two minutes.
All of them received special training from civilian instructors and law enforcement.
To this day I dont know who half of them were, and the students didnt know either.
I have never felt safer at work than in that school.
There was a plan, it was practiced, and it was effective.
If a shooting happened the threat would be challenged and engaged.
If there are no SROs, then you wait for law enforcement to arrive and hope for the best.
That is our plan.
There is nothing we can do.
The parents had no idea they were sending their children into a place that insecure and dangerous.
Needless to say, I dont work there anymore.
The main difference between the attitude of private and public school is federal funding and involvement.
Private schools can play by their own rules.
They can expel students for behavior.
They have to hold students and parents accountable for their actions.
A public school, however, is pressured to avoid suspending students.
The main goal is to achieve accreditation by testing, testing, testing.
In the state of Virginia, student attendance affects a schools accreditation.
Students are not always held accountable for their actions because the district fears being put on a watch list.
I can lobby for the right to work in a safe environment.
I can challenge the idea that teachers are afraid of guns and dont want to be armed.
I can be ready for when my district does change policies.
I can take control of my own safety when I am not at school.
I know how to safely operate and use firearms, and my husband and I own many.
However, I dont have my own handgun that I feel completely comfortable with.
I am in no way a gun enthusiast.
Stay tuned for more!
