By Jenna Mitchell
No educator anticipated the day when they might have to serve as a human shield.
The teaching profession is fraught with challenges and sacrifices. Low salaries, minimal respect, national scrutiny, and unpaid overtime are just a few hurdles we face daily. Yet, for most of us, the rewards outweigh the difficulties. We witness the positive impact of our efforts, fostering growth in our students and nurturing their understanding of vital subjects. We build relationships and earn the trust of parents to guide and educate their children to the best of our abilities. The sacrifices we make are well-known and accepted in pursuit of a calling we are passionate about.
However, today, educators are being asked to shoulder sacrifices that were never part of the original agreement.
There are professions where individuals consciously choose to put their lives on the line, fully aware of the risks involved. Our military and emergency responders deserve immense respect for facing the possibility of danger daily, knowing that each day could bring life-altering challenges. They are trained for such scenarios, and the risks associated with their roles are understood.
I have not undergone combat training. I have never participated in live-fire exercises and lack expertise in managing an active shooter situation. I am a history teacher, dedicated to helping students understand the past. I teach economics, guiding students to comprehend market dynamics. I instruct on government, having studied how our political system functions.
I deeply respect those who enlist in the military or join law enforcement. It is a path I considered but ultimately could not choose, grappling with the moral implications of taking another’s life. I opted for a different profession.
I willingly accepted the sacrifices that come with being a teacher. However, the notion that I might need to sacrifice my life as part of my job never crossed my mind when I began my career.
Yet, this is the reality for many in education today. I have frequently spoken with my students, and many expect their teachers to protect them from potential threats. Numerous educators have made this sacrifice, and I believe, in the unfortunate event of an attack, I would too. Our students feel like family. Parents entrust us with their children’s education and safety; I hope my children’s teachers would do the same for them.
I would not blame a teacher for not stepping in. They did not sign up to be human shields. Teaching was never meant to include the possibility of sacrificing one’s life.
Yet here we are, in a nation where our schools—once considered safe havens—have become tainted by violence.
Very few teachers have not pondered where an attack might originate or how to respond. Every classroom has had discussions about “what would we do?”
We debate the root causes. We offer condolences. We grieve. We protest. We express our frustrations. Yet, in the end, we do nothing.
Children continue to lose their lives.
I don’t want your guns. But I refuse to be a human shield.
Would I lay down my life for my students? I believe I would. And then my own two children would grow up without a father, just like the families of too many fallen educators.
Simply increasing gun availability is not the solution. Arming teachers is not the answer. More firearms lead to more bullets, more shootings, and a greater risk of tragedy.
This could be a mental health issue, perhaps a racial issue, or even a reflection of toxic masculinity. But it is undoubtedly a gun issue. Fewer guns result in fewer school shootings. It’s simple math.
The specific cause is less important than taking action to prevent these tragedies. We don’t need to identify a singular cause before we begin to address this pressing matter.
If a determined individual finds it difficult to acquire a gun, they may resort to other means to inflict harm at schools. Let’s make it harder for them to do so. Let’s compel them to exert more effort in causing harm to our youth, and we can tackle those challenges as they arise.
The issue is urgent, and it demands attention.
Keep your hunting rifles and handguns; I have no desire for them. Uphold the Second Amendment, but make obtaining guns more challenging. If you are responsible, you won’t mind these measures. You retain your rights, and perhaps, just perhaps, I won’t be asked to take a bullet for your child.
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In summary, educators face unprecedented pressures and risks in their profession. The expectation that they act as protectors during violent incidents is unacceptable. A call for responsible gun control emerges as a vital step toward ensuring the safety of our students and teachers.