Wow. I’m so sorry that happened. I’m so furious it happens. I can’t remember if you mentioned this when I had you as a teacher or if I was just too much of a dumb (brainwashed) kid to internalize what that meant to you. But I now recognize how trauma lingers. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, Kevin. You’ve gone through so much trauma yourself that mine seems insignificant.
I felt guilt writing this piece because our experience was nothing near what is happening now. When are we going to step up and protect children and teachers?
Wow. I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this -- and for all the others who are doing likewise. There's a new novel by Sid Balman Jr. coming out in February based on the Uvalde shootings called "The Mural." It's available on Amazon for pre-order, and I think you might find it helpful to read it.
Carol, I just read the first couple of paragraphs, stopped, got Margie, and then read the entire thing out loud. Several times I had to compose myself before I could continue. This is extremely powerful and very, very important for others to read (especially those who think because you weren't shot or injured you are "okay"). I hope you will try to get it published in a journal.
The last 10-15 years I taught, I would check out all my classrooms before classes started to see whether the doors locked. Most of them on the LSU campus do not and when we tried (English Dept) to get locks put on our doors in the main bldg where English classes are held, we were told it was considered too dangerous to have locks! So I started carrying one of those tools that will break windows if you're trapped in your car, and I would identify what window I would break and how we would exit from there. It's insane that teachers have to think about these things. It's INSANE that our politicians continue to allow this kind of horror to continue.
We only just got locked doors at the school where I currently teach at the beginning of this year. I'm grateful, but my biggest worry is that kids who are potential shooters know the lockdown protocol. They know which corner of every classroom people hide in. And the walls are paper-thin. We have armed folks on campus, but they are mostly coaches in the athletic wing. It's a sad state of affairs.
I’m so sorry this happened to you and keeps happening. You’re a very gifted writer, so thank you for sharing, especially on this painful anniversary. Thanks for not quitting a career in which you truly make a positive difference in lives, and sharing your talent.
Wow! I felt every bit of anxiety/fear you were going through from your account of such a horrifying day. I’m so thankful you were so aware to see the warnings and able to get the students to safety. ❤️
I hate that this happened to you and everyone in the school. The trauma you experienced is heartbreaking. I hate that this is now our reality. My eldest is a school dean and the things she and the staff have to plan for about are so stressful, as you well know. It's a heavy weight for y'all to carry. Thank you for continuing to teach.
Wow. I’m so sorry that happened. I’m so furious it happens. I can’t remember if you mentioned this when I had you as a teacher or if I was just too much of a dumb (brainwashed) kid to internalize what that meant to you. But I now recognize how trauma lingers. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, Kevin. You’ve gone through so much trauma yourself that mine seems insignificant.
I felt guilt writing this piece because our experience was nothing near what is happening now. When are we going to step up and protect children and teachers?
Meh. Nobody wins the suffering Olympics. All we can do is use the shit for fertilizer. Which is what you're doing.
My takeaway is that dead children is not something to fuck around with. You're not fucking around. I'll always appreciate that.
Helluva piece. Spot on about the trauma never going away.
Thank you!
Wow. I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this -- and for all the others who are doing likewise. There's a new novel by Sid Balman Jr. coming out in February based on the Uvalde shootings called "The Mural." It's available on Amazon for pre-order, and I think you might find it helpful to read it.
Thanks you. I’ll order it.
Carol, I just read the first couple of paragraphs, stopped, got Margie, and then read the entire thing out loud. Several times I had to compose myself before I could continue. This is extremely powerful and very, very important for others to read (especially those who think because you weren't shot or injured you are "okay"). I hope you will try to get it published in a journal.
The last 10-15 years I taught, I would check out all my classrooms before classes started to see whether the doors locked. Most of them on the LSU campus do not and when we tried (English Dept) to get locks put on our doors in the main bldg where English classes are held, we were told it was considered too dangerous to have locks! So I started carrying one of those tools that will break windows if you're trapped in your car, and I would identify what window I would break and how we would exit from there. It's insane that teachers have to think about these things. It's INSANE that our politicians continue to allow this kind of horror to continue.
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability.
We only just got locked doors at the school where I currently teach at the beginning of this year. I'm grateful, but my biggest worry is that kids who are potential shooters know the lockdown protocol. They know which corner of every classroom people hide in. And the walls are paper-thin. We have armed folks on campus, but they are mostly coaches in the athletic wing. It's a sad state of affairs.
Wow! I have no words. I do hope that your words may ease your thoughts even if just a little. Not to forget, never forget.
Thanks. I can’t imagine how the folks who’ve survived mass shootings must be left with. It’s a sad world we’re living in.
I’m so sorry this happened to you and keeps happening. You’re a very gifted writer, so thank you for sharing, especially on this painful anniversary. Thanks for not quitting a career in which you truly make a positive difference in lives, and sharing your talent.
Thank you, Shelly.
Wow! I felt every bit of anxiety/fear you were going through from your account of such a horrifying day. I’m so thankful you were so aware to see the warnings and able to get the students to safety. ❤️
Those were the instincts of the battered child in me. When you never know when the hit is coming, you become highly attuned to danger.
Thanks for reading my stuff. I hope I’m not exhausting.
This just should not happen. Glad no one was physically hurt this time. Thanks for sharing!
It’s frightening out there. Click on the K-12 stats at the bottom. That upward curve is crazy.
I hate that this happened to you and everyone in the school. The trauma you experienced is heartbreaking. I hate that this is now our reality. My eldest is a school dean and the things she and the staff have to plan for about are so stressful, as you well know. It's a heavy weight for y'all to carry. Thank you for continuing to teach.