What about teachers’ own kids?

I spent 45 years in publicschool classrooms and a variety of athletic venues. As a teacher I was directed to assist first responders in checking student lockers during a lockdown due to bomb threats. I questioned the wisdom of acceding to that direction. Eventually I determined I would not do it again.

I am extremely grateful that my students, staff and I were not exposed to an active shooter. I have listened to and watched a plethora of traumatized and heartbroken teachers, students and parents from Parkland. Law enforcement, other first responders, medical professionals from surgeons to mental-health practitioners, politicians and the ubiquitous array of anti- and pro-gun advocates have lent their voices, many in desperation, to the resolution of school shootings. How to get to “Never again”?

One possible solution put forward is the “hardening” of our schools by arming classroom teachers and athletic coaches. Polls indicate invested Americans, including law enforcement and educators, are in opposition. Advocates on both sides have responded.

The words of a former Marine sharpshooter who later went into the classroom as a teacher seem to be from a qualified voice. He described the nearly unimaginable but probable mayhem of an assault-weapon encounter in a school setting. The sounds, sights and chaos could quickly evolve into what amounts to a circular firing squad. The best-trained law-enforcement officers would be extremely tested.

One issue I have not heard discussed is the ultimate responsibility of the teacher in making a potential lifeand-death decision for his or her students. As teachers, we all build wonderful relationships with many of our “kids,” some of which will last a lifetime.

I do not believe many of us can know exactly how we would react. Even welltrained law-enforcement professionals or military personnel can and have failed to respond as they expected.

Finally, the teacher’s “kids.” Who and where are they? Are they in the school building or at home? Where and to whom is the ultimate responsibility for the parent/teacher during these unspeakable school shootings? What about a spouse or other dependents at home?

As a teacher and parent I escaped this awful decision and I cannot be certain of my response.

Jim N. Reed Lancaster I know because I was his patient, and after my young husband died he didn’t charge a penny for my family’s dental care for many years until he retired.

Other friends of mine also were changed by Billy Graham’s message. It was simple, but not simplistic: “Repent. Believe. Be saved.” I was glad I could be a part of the Columbus outreach when Graham visited in 1993.

It gives me joy to think of my dentist and his wife and myriad others greeting Graham when he arrived home. “Because you spoke up for Jesus, I’m here.”