Tragedy struck again, and this time it was far too close to home—right in my friend’s neighborhood. Recently, the community was rocked by a shooting at Townville Elementary School in Anderson, South Carolina, where two children and a teacher were injured. The shooter, a teenager, also took the life of his father before opening fire, calling his grandparents just moments prior, visibly distressed. Thankfully, he was subdued by a heroic volunteer firefighter, but the incident left a haunting mark. This horrifying event is a significant reason why I chose to keep my children out of traditional schools.
I fully recognize that homeschooling isn’t feasible for everyone. Many families, including those with single parents or dual-income households, often lack the resources and time required for this educational path. I consider myself fortunate to have the option to step away from the conventional education system.
My husband teaches in the public school system, where he participates in extensive drills that detail every possible scenario, including barricading doors with cardboard to prevent visibility. During these drills, heavy steel doors are locked, bearing ominous signs that read “Do Not Open. Active Shooter Behind This Door.” These protocols have even made their way into preschool classrooms. A recent viral photo depicted a young child practicing active shooter drills by standing on a toilet. Her mother, Stacey Wehrman Feely, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “At that moment, all the innocence of what I thought my three-year-old possessed was gone.”
Joe Deedon, an educator specializing in teaching children how to respond to active shooters, explained to the Washington Post that even young children can be taught to throw objects to distract an assailant. “Try to overwhelm him,” he instructs. “Throw off his plan.” But I refuse to put my children in a situation where they might have to throw toys at an armed individual.
While the fear of school shootings was not the sole reason for my decision to homeschool, it certainly played a significant role. Each week seems to bring news of another mass shooting, which heightens my anxiety as I send my children off to school. The unpredictability of these events makes it impossible for me to feel secure about their safety. I cannot send my kids into an environment that feels increasingly perilous.
Additionally, my middle child struggles with the emotional toll of active shooter drills. My eldest tends to brush off these concerns, but my youngest, Ethan, becomes consumed by anxiety, asking countless questions about the potential for violence in schools. This heightened sense of fear leads to nightmares and anxiety about attending school. I cannot allow this persistent worry to dominate his life, so he remains at home.
Of course, our reasons for homeschooling extend beyond safety concerns. We reject the test-centric education model prevalent in American schools. With my background in pedagogy, I am critical of the way history is often taught, from the glorification of figures like Christopher Columbus to oversimplified narratives around Thanksgiving and labor unions. At home, I have the freedom to teach subjects as I see fit.
We enjoy more time outdoors, which is especially beneficial for my children with ADHD who struggle to remain seated for extended periods. They are able to explore their interests at their own pace—my youngest is fascinated by space, particularly dark matter. My eldest is reading Peter Pan with guidance, while my middle child is just beginning to grasp addition but hasn’t yet mastered his letters. That’s perfectly fine; they are learning at a pace that suits them.
In summary, while the threat of school shootings is not the sole reason we have chosen homeschooling, it is a significant factor in our decision. Studies reveal that mass shootings have tripled since 2011, occurring, on average, every 64 days. Furthermore, a study by Everytown identified 160 incidents involving firearms on school grounds from 2013 to 2016, which resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities. I cannot risk my children becoming yet another statistic.
So, my kids will continue their education at home. I acknowledge that homeschooling has its risks, with accidents possible even during our kayaking sessions. However, the likelihood of them experiencing gun violence is significantly lower in a homeschool environment, which remains a compelling advantage.
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Summary: The fear of school shootings significantly influenced my decision to homeschool my children. With the increasing frequency of mass shootings and the emotional burden that active shooter drills impose on young students, I felt compelled to create a safer learning environment at home. Homeschooling allows for a tailored educational experience that addresses my children’s individual needs while keeping them away from the dangers present in traditional schools.