Opinion
Teaching With a Gun?
Fear will not keep me away from my classroom
Author’s note: This was written almost two years ago, but it is still a relevant topic. I am thinking about this NYT article. Students will not be able to take their annual Martin Luther King Jr. “see how the government works” field trip to the nation’s capitol for fear for their lives. This is disgusting.
Guns are for one thing: killing. Why are we talking about whether or not to put guns in schools? This debate makes me so sad.
Guns are the antithesis of what I am all about. I am a creator and a giver. I help children reach their potential. I view creative value in each of my students. I help them create their own knowledge, to value education, to read and learn and know and think for themselves. I raise my child the same way.
I will not live my life in fear.
How is it, once again, that the people in charge who are stating their great ideas about arming teachers have not set foot in a classroom since they themselves stopped paying attention? When will the dumbing down of our culture, our education, our generations leave a most meaningful consequence? How is it that now a military state may be demanded by the clueless and the hateful? What has our country come to?
Teaching at a Jewish day school already brings some level of anxiety. We understand that for some people we are a target.
Last year it was a rash of bomb threats, remember?
A note to people in charge: please build schools and communities. Give students what they need to be healthy and learn free from fear. Spend money on books and professional development, after school programs, and food, field trips, science equipment, social-emotional curricula, psychologists, and health care, art supplies, and technology, universities and labs, infrastructure, and innovation. Build bridges, gardens, upstanders, and basic needs. Create love and open conversation. Give people a voice, including children, especially children. Invest in mental health and mindfulness. Take a walk. Teach yourself to take a stand and lead with dignity. Take a look at countries doing things right. Be inspired. Hire professionals and help them learn.
Maybe I am blind by my own ideals, but I really did believe we were making progress.
Give teachers the respect they deserve for caring for the well being of your children.
© Samantha Lazar 2.22.18
Thank you for reading. I’m a teaching and writing mom. I write poetry, fiction, and essays in celebration of being a Mom, Wife, Educator, Writer, & Lover of Life. ❤POMpoet❤ Follow my 2020 Sky Collection Project, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date!