I avoided the news all day yesterday, my heart not ready to hear it again. And truthfully, I'm still not ready. But truth is... neither were the teachers, students, or parents in Parkland, FL yesterday. And still today in Florida, parents are grieving the loss of their children. Today in Florida, teachers are waking up with new trauma that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Today in Florida, children will begin to mourn not only the loss of their friends, but also the loss of safety in their school environment. And today, we are once again offering our thoughts and prayers to that community. And this isn't the first time we've been here. It's been six years, since a blogpost I originally made after Sandy Hook. It's been five years since the shooting in Sparks, NV. It’s been 19 since Columbine. I've seen a variety of reports that there have been 29 mass shootings in America in 2018 --- It's FEBRUARY 15. Maybe that number can be disputed, there is a lot of talk going around about the "fake news" of how many shootings have actually taken place this year. However, FOX News did report that there have been 25 fatal school shootings since Columbine in 1999. Do we really need to be fighting over how many count? Can we all not agree that ONE IS TOO MANY?!!??!? Why are we still having this conversation? This isn't about taking away your guns, this is about NOT TAKING AWAY THE LIVES OF INNOCENT PEOPLE. This is about stricter requirements for purchasing guns, for a ban on assault rifles, for gun safety requirements. This is about access to mental health care. This is about healing trauma. This is about you. This is about me. Most importantly this is about the lives of the people we love most in the world. While you send prayers and thoughts, I'll be calling and writing until a teacher never has to write another post like this again. Feel free to join me. My promise to you...I originally posted this last year after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. Today it is once again relevant as a teacher in Sparks, NV lost his own life in an effort to help protect his students...
The title to my blog is "Life with Your Children." I sat and pondered this title at the beginning of the year, wondering if it was an appropriate headline. I finally decided that it was perfect. I spend 7 hours with your child each day. During that time we laugh, cry, learn, and grow together, just like any family. I see them at their best, and occasionally, at their worst. It is my job to educate them, it is my privilege to learn from them. I have only been a mother for 14 amazing months, but in that time my entire identity as an educator has changed. Each morning we all drop our children off at school (or daycare) entrusting their minds, hearts, and bodies to another adult. We trust that they will be educated, cared for, respected, listened to, and safe. We trust that at the end of the day we will be able to take our children home, hug them tight, and tuck them into bed. I do not take for granted for a moment that each day you are sending me the very best that you have. That you are counting on me to take care of your very most prized possessions. My role as teacher defines me as much as my role as a mother. Each year my students grow to be an extension of my family... In my heart I don't have 1 child, I am blessed to have an additional 28 each year. In my 10 years in public education close to 300 children have left an imprint on my heart. I have said it before, but I am deeply honored to be your child's teacher. Thank you for sharing your children with me. You have my word that I will take care of them the best I can. As a teacher and a mother I am deeply saddened each time I think of those that lost their lives and their loves, as well as those who awoke the next day to a different world. I cannot imagine losing any one of my students to any kind of tragedy... especially one that I might have to be their final protector from.
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AuthorHope guides me in all endeavors. In both my professional and personal life I see opportunities to share and spread hope with others so that they too may develop pathways to see great possibilities in their lives. I believe in the power of engaged educators to build significant relationships with young people to encourage, inspire, and build great lives. This blog is a collection of my thoughts on education, hope, connecting, and engaging. Archives
July 2018
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