From .
It鈥檚 been two days since a young gunman opened fire on a Florida high school, taking many lives and forever altering many more. As outsiders to this event, it鈥檚 probably about the time when we begin to move on. It鈥檚 harder, though, to resist the hurt for those who relate directly to the victims 鈥� parents of high schoolers in this case. And it鈥檚 harder for those who work in schools, which have so often been the target of horrific mass shootings.
Texas Standard鈥檚 Laura Rice talked with three educators from around the state, who share insight about preventing school shootings and comforting students in their aftermath.
Sarah Tanner, who teaches eighth-grade science at O. Henry Middle School in Austin, says her students have become accustomed to hearing about school shootings.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e maybe not as startled by something like this as maybe the staff are,鈥� Tanner says. 鈥淎nd so when we talk to them about it, they鈥檙e like 鈥榶eah, that鈥檚 just kind of what I鈥檝e grown up being used to hearing about.鈥� It鈥檚 just become part of their lives, which to me is very sad.鈥�
Christopher Green, a seventh-grade writing teacher at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio, says he and his colleagues recognize that school shootings are a reality, and that teachers are not always able to protect their students.
In Dallas ISD, where Israel Cordero is deputy superintendent, all schools have emergency operation plans, and conduct drills each year to ensure that staff and students are as prepared as possible.
鈥淯nfortunately,鈥� he says, 鈥渨hen somebody wants to do a senseless act like this, it鈥檚 hard to prepare, but we do have counselors in all of our schools and all of our schools are sensitive to the issue that just took place. They鈥檙e alert and ready to talk to staff, students, or family as needed.鈥�
Green says it鈥檚 unfortunate that the need to practice emergency procedures in school takes time away from learning. But he says it鈥檚 necessary.
鈥淚 think the only thing you can do is have a game plan and practice it,鈥� Green says.
A few weeks ago, a student at O. Henry in Austin came to school with an unloaded gun. Tanner says the incident reminded her of an important takeaway when a student brings a weapon to school.
鈥淣ot only have we failed to protect our students who are potential victims of a mass shooting, but we have also failed that student who has brought a gun to school,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ecause they have, in a time of crisis, been allowed to have easy access to a weapon.鈥�
For more, listen in the player above.
Written by Shelly Brisbin.
Copyright 2020 KUT 90.5. To see more, visit . 9(MDAxODQzOTgwMDEyMTcyNjI4MTAxYWQyMw004))
