Newton, Connecticut...Tragedy Again

As I sit here, as and educator and parent, thinking about the tragedy that struck Newton, Connecticut this morning, I can't help but go through in my mind what I would do in a similar situation. I am in the odd position of being both a parent and and educator at my current institution. Would I do what I know I would have done at Payson Seymour?...Which was to do anything to protect "my kids". Sure I would. The students in my classroom are "my kids". Families of students expect you to love and care for their kids as they would. That is the responsibility you take on when you become and educator.

Would I be in a totally different state of mind since I do have a child that goes to my current school? Probably. I know I would do my job in protecting the kids in my classroom and at the same time keep a cool head and try to find out about my daughter. Of course this is all theory and I hope this situation never develops but as an educator I feel you have to put yourself in these positions mentally to be able to deal with them if they ever do occur.

It is a sad state of affairs when you have to think about what you would do (even maybe giving your life) if something tragic would hit "your" school but it is a fact present day. I am willing to do this as an educator and feel that if you are not, and you are an educator, then maybe you better rethink your current occupation. Parents put their child's safety in your hands everyday. That doesn't always mean just fixing a "boo-boo".

I have to laugh at some faculty meetings concerning emergency situations. Some faculty and staff feel the need to bring up every possible situation they can think of. There is absolutely no way possible to be prepared for every catastrophe. You can't ask "What if a man comes in..." or "What if 3 people wearing clown outfits...". You must remember to keep calm, THINK, and above all, do what's best for the students. Yes, you should try to follow protocol but you might not be able to in all situations. I believe that the students have to see you as calm to make them feel as safe as possible in any situation.

Now I know what some of you are saying, "How does he know what he would do? He has never been in that kind of situation." You are right. I have not been in that kind of situation but I KNOW I would do what is best for the students. If you don't have that mentality then you are already aiding in making the catastrophe worse.

In the next few days when finding out all the details of the Newton tragedy, I know we will hear the names of heroes that went above an beyond. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Newton community.