No educator ever intended to become a human shield.
Teaching comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices. From inadequate salaries and lack of respect to constant national scrutiny and unpaid hours, the list is long. Yet, for many of us, the rewards often outweigh these difficulties. We witness the positive impact of our efforts firsthand. We guide students in their personal and academic growth, establishing bonds of trust with parents who entrust us with their children’s education and wellbeing. We embrace these sacrifices for a profession we are passionate about.
However, recent demands on educators have crossed a line that was never part of the job description.
Certain professions, such as those in the military or emergency services, require individuals to willingly accept the risk of putting their lives on the line for others. We owe immense gratitude to these brave individuals, who confront the reality that each day could be their last. They enter training knowing such risks are inherent in their chosen fields.
I, on the other hand, am not trained for combat. I have never experienced a live-fire situation, nor do I possess the skills necessary to confront an active shooter effectively. I teach history, guiding students to understand and appreciate the past. I delve into economics, helping them comprehend how markets function. I educate on government, sharing insights about our political system.
I hold deep respect for those who serve in the military or law enforcement—a path I considered but ultimately chose to forgo. I grappled with the moral implications of potentially ending another life, leading me to pursue a different career entirely.
I willingly accepted the sacrifices that come with being a teacher, but the notion of having to sacrifice my life for my profession was never part of my consideration.
Yet, this has become a grim reality for many in the education sector. Numerous conversations with my students reveal their expectation that teachers will protect them from potential violence. Some educators have made this sacrifice, and I believe, if faced with such a situation, I would do the same. Our students are like our own children, and there is a sacred trust placed in us by their parents. I would hope that my own children’s teachers would act similarly for my kids.
However, I would never blame a teacher who chooses not to protect others at the cost of their life. They did not enter this profession to become human shields. Teaching was meant to be about nurturing and educating, not about laying down one’s life.
Yet, we find ourselves in a country where our schools—once sanctuaries for our children—have become targets.
Every teacher has considered the possibility of an attack and contemplated how to respond. The question “What would we do?” has been voiced in countless classrooms.
We debate the causes. We offer thoughts and prayers. We grieve, protest, and express our anger. But ultimately, we do nothing.
Meanwhile, children are losing their lives.
I don’t want your guns. But I refuse to become a human shield.
Would I sacrifice my life for my students? I believe I would. But then my two children would grow up without their father, just like too many families affected by these tragedies.
More guns will not solve this issue. Arming teachers is not the solution. An increase in firearms leads to more bullets, more shootings, and greater risk of death and destruction.
Perhaps it’s a mental health issue. Maybe it’s about race or even toxic masculinity. One thing is clear: it’s undeniably a gun issue. Fewer guns would mean fewer school shootings. It’s simple math.
The specific root causes can be addressed later; immediate steps must be taken to prevent these tragedies. We don’t need to pinpoint the exact cause before taking action.
If a determined individual can’t get a gun, perhaps they will find other, more difficult methods to inflict harm. Let’s create barriers that make it harder to attack the youth in our country, and we can confront those challenges as they arise.
This issue is urgent and needs immediate attention.
Keep your hunting rifles. Keep your handguns. I don’t want them. Uphold the Second Amendment. But let’s make it more challenging to obtain firearms. If you are a responsible gun owner, you won’t object to this. Your rights remain intact, and perhaps, just perhaps, I won’t be asked to take a bullet for your child.
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Summary:
The article discusses the unexpected risks teachers face today, emphasizing that they never signed up to be human shields for their students. It stresses that while educators are prepared to make sacrifices for their students, the reality of risking their lives in school shootings is not part of their professional commitment. The piece calls for a reevaluation of gun access and the need for preventive measures to protect children in schools.
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