Hearts are breaking for the many victims and their families & friends of school shootings that seem to occur more and more in recent years.ย There were 18 school shootings in just 2018 alone and the most recent shooting was in a High School in Parkland, Florida killing 17 people. This is not only alarming, but extremely frightening for teachers and students that go to school every day. I remember Sandy Hook shooting like it was yesterday. Being an elementary teachers myself, this hit home a bit harder since it was a shooting in an elementary school killing 26 people on December 14, 2012. I couldnโt even begin to make sense or process the dayโs events, never mind understanding what thoughts, feelings and questions my second grade students had. We spent a lot of class time talking about our feelings and I answered some questions that came up ย since my students were highly anxious, fearful and couldn’t understand the extent of such a horrific act. They kept asking the same question we all had, โBut why, why would someone do that?โ And it occurred to me that the hardest thing for children, as well as adults, to understand was mental illness.
There are many debates about whether school shootings are more about gun laws or mental health issues. Perhaps itโs a combination of both. Itโs definitely a controversial topic which cannot go ignored. I believe that mental illness is a wide spread issue among many people of all ages, races, ethnicity, culture and backgrounds, trickling into our schools. People with mental health issues who misuse firearms is a growing concern. The scariest part about mental illness is that when it is overlooked for too long it’s extremely challenging to treat and it becomes dangerous. So what do we do about it? How do we STOP this? Something needs to change now.
Getting Real With School Safetyย
The self reflective teacher in me raises some challenging questions. Are mental health issues addressed in schools as much as they need to be? Do students even know what mental health is? Are there even enough counselors in schools that can help students focus on and better their mental health? Does that even touch the surface to help the many students that come to school grieving, hungry, poor, sick, tired, neglected, abused and so many more things that are out of our control? Students bring to school the behaviors that stem from their lives. When we say it takes a village to raise a child, we mean that it takes a VILLAGE to raise and teach the whole child emotionally, socially and academically, of each and every child. No easy task for sure and it seems quite impossible, but what if we as a collective group did more to monitor the mental health of students each and every day?
Getting Real With Our Students
Building relationships is something I care deeply about. Getting to know your students is the first step to getting to know the whole child. Let them know that you care abut them and what’s going on in their life. Let them know that you will check in on them and will not ignore signs or clues. When there’s a suspicion or a lead, look further and then do something. Put on your detective hat to investigate. Look for some of these red flags.
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Physical- Dirty clothing or appearance, food insecurity, abuse, neglect, etc.?
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Social- What about their friendships? Does the child build relationships with others?ย Are they often alone or introverted? Do they have difficulty making or keeping friendships?
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Emotional- How does the child problem solve? Do they react to situations logically or with emotions? Is there history of violence or negative behavior patterns?
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Academically- How are their grades? Is there a pattern of failing grades, lack of confidence, engagement or attendance?
Sometimes clues are obvious while other times we need to mine for them like gold.
Taking a Closer Lookย
Sandy Hook Elementary shooter: 16 years old at the time of his parents’ divorce, was described early on by classmates as “fidgety” and “deeply troubled.” According to some of his friends and family members, he had also been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. (Biography.com)ย More disturbing information about this shooter here.
A toxic combination: Was this shooter grieving from his parentsโ divorce? Was he struggling with mental health issues? Was it his access to guns and ammunition in his own home that made this shooting even more feasible?
And what do we know about the most recent Parkland shooter? He was described by former classmates as a โloner,โ was an orphaned teenager whose adoptive mother died in November 2017, accordingย to The Sun-Sentinel. The two boys, the shooter and his brother, had then moved in with a family friend but it was reported that he was unhappy, and asked a friend if he could move in with him, bringing alongย his legallyย owned gun.
A dangerous combination: A broken human being experiencing loss, grief, depression and unstable emotions with access to a gun.
Getting Real With Social Media
Iโve learned more about friends and family that Iโd like to know from their social media profiles, from every picture, thought and emotion. Social media is flooded with extremely personal information. It was said on the news that the FBI ignored a tip they received about the Parkland shooter in January. The Parkland shooter’s social media profile showed disturbing images of gun and knives. His friends predicted that he was capable of such an act of violence. So why are we not acting when warned and why are we not taking a closer look at our students social media profiles which gives a very clear picture inside the minds and lives of these students? Perhaps we could use it as a tool to find some clues about our students beforehand. Disturbing images and words must never go ignored. We need to start teaching our students that if they see something, they need to take it seriously and say something. And better yet, how about going a step further and doing something. The attitude that this will โnever happen hereโ is no longer a reality because it could very well happen anywhere. Ignoring tips puts the safety of our schools and public places in general at risk and people die. Being proactive saves lives.
Getting Real With Taking Action
Teachers all over the world continue to fight for school safety. Here’s some proactive ideas from @teachbetweenthelines on Instagram that encourages all of us to be the change that we need NOW.
1. Reach out to your local, state and federal government officials and legislators who hold the reigns of power.
2.ย Follow and get involved in outreach campaigns to stop gun violence in our country (@EveryTown, @SandyHookPromise, @MomsDemandAction).
3. Text ACT to 644-33 or contact your local and state officials to demand #SCHOOLSAFETYNOW.
If you want to change something you could even go to change.org and start a petition.
Let’s Get Talking!
Guidance classes should be embedded into the school day daily. Other subject areas may need to share their instructional time in order teach students about mental health. We need to talk about real topics and concerns and hold kids accountable for their words and actions. We need to teach our students to speak up and speak out on topics of bullying and mental illness. Teach students how to cope with emotions. Help them to develop lifelong skills of problem solving, communicating, and social media norms- whatโs okay to post, and whatโs not. Grab my social media profile and post how to guide for students in creating appropriate social media profiles and posts here.
It’s time to take a stand for school safety.ย It’s time to take a stand for gun control. It’s time to take action and identify students that are clearly struggling with mental illness.ย If the signs are there, look deeper. Tell someone, raise awareness, get involved and DO SOMETHING! It’s going to take ALL of us to making this changeย and STOP these acts of violence in our schools. We can’t afford our schools, teachers and children to be at risk everyday. Teachers change lives but can save lives too. Let’s be the change! Please join us in supporting communities everywhere. We are stronger together.
Let’s talk about this and support each other in making change! Visit theย Forumย School Safety Now.
Be sure to go theย Shopย tab right here atย For The Love of Teachersย for resources to support your classroom, or visitย For The Love of Teachers Shop.ย And joinย For The Love of Teachersย email list to receive the latest and greatest updates, plus receive monthly freebies!!
Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
Cristine says
Yes, unfortunately, we are here and this is a reality. Your proactive approach to recognizing the signs is important for all teachers to know. It’s hard to write pieces like this. Thank you for doing it.
Christine Weis says
Thank you Cristine! Difficult topics need to be talked about more. I think we need more adults on board with being better role models on SM too. It “takes a village.” Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Lori Kaus says
Sadly, this article is timely and relevant. Thank you for taking the time to address this issue in our schools. When you said educating “the whole child”… speaks volumes. How is it, that teachers are not only responsible for making sure their children master the curriculum but also find themselves RAISING children these days? How did this happen?
Christine Weis says
Thank you Lori! Teaching the whole child is the most important, yet most cumbersome thing about being an educator. A teachers job is TREMENDOUS and until we get government officials that actually know about education, schools, teachers and children, we are left to do it ALL! So sad I know!! You are an amazing teacher and mom so I know that all of your children are in the best hands. Thank you for all you do each and every day! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Sheree says
I cannot agree with you more! I have two toddlers and I seriously want to keep them home schooled because of all this terrible things going on. I wish our government is more competent and can take actions.
xo Sheree
Christine Weis says
I hear you! It’s a very scary time for parents, students and teachers. Let’s continue working toward change and advocating for our children and schools. I hope and pray that it will get better. Thanks so much for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Holly Lasha says
Great information. It’s hard to know where to start with this sometimes.
Christine Weis says
Thank you! Exactly…it is difficult to know where to start and how to help moving forward. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Emily says
I think itโs clear that there is a problem in our country with the help available and provided to people with mental health. Things have got to change on many levels. I thank God for the brave teachers that go to school every day and take our childrenโs care into their hands.
Christine Weis says
Thank you Emily! I agree that there needs to be change. Thank you for supporting teachers in the difficult job they do everyday! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Kim Lepre says
Over time I’ve become more aware and able to spot behaviors or things that set off my “spidey sense.” It’s often signs of neglect or emotional abuse, but it’s alarming either way. I don’t want to be that student’s last line of defense only to ignore signs that they’re in pain.
I wholeheartedly believe that the teachers of the shooters at Sandy Hook Elementary and Parkland High School did the best they could. It saddens me that they would be under attack for “not doing enough.” As teachers, we do so much to provide emotional and academic support on a daily basis, and while we try to pick up on those signs and red flags, it still falls short in the public’s eye.
Thank you for writing this at such a raw and emotional time!
-Kim
Christine Weis says
I too believe teachers are doing their best to monitor signs of mental health and to support students. I raised some questions to reflect and to raise awareness but not to place blame on teachers who serve on the front lines of school violence. We can’t solve or prevent what happens but we can become more aware when such tragedies occur.
Thanks for reading and for leaving a thoughtful comment!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Brenda Burns says
Working at a low income disciplinary school, this touches me so much! A lot of my children suffer with mental illness and due to their behaviors I feel the get swept under the rug sometimes. It really is the time to start addressing the issues.
Christine Weis says
I hear that often that mental illness gets swept under the rug. That makes me sad. Mental illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat which is why it may be overlooked. Raising awareness is the first step to identifying and helping our students. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Bianca says
It’s heartbreaking to see and hear stories of children being mistreated. I hope one day we can teach all kids regardless of sex that it’s ok to show emotion and communicate early and often.
Christine Weis says
I agree! Thanks for reading Bianca!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Ashlee says
I don’t think that every student that decides to bring a gun to school and shot others has a mental illness.
Christine Weis says
Possibly not but this is definitely something we need to consider and look into when investigating motives. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Tanvi Rastogi says
I can’t even begin to start talking about the abuse happening in schools due to gun violence. But yes, talk about mental illness is also an important part of this puzzle. Teachers do SO MUCH to support and help kids above and beyond just the education.
โฅ tanvii.com
Christine Weis says
I know…it’s unbelievable. I’m encouraging teachers, students and parents to talk about it because we have a voice. We just need to speak loud enough so we will be heard. Strength in numbers. Raising issues about mental illness, gun laws and what we see on social media is a start. Thanks for reading and for supporting teachers.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Marcie says
It’s all just so heartbreaking and I can’t believe that the government won’t do anything about it. It’s so scary to be a parent right now.
Christine Weis says
It sure is! It’s scary to be a teacher, student and parent right now. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Priyadarshini Rajendran says
It is very sad to see children undergo abuse and even sadder to see them take it out all on people around them. Teachers are doing a great job in identifying troubled kids and getting a solution.
Christine Weis says
I agree! Teachers work so hard to support and help students. Although we cannot prevent these terrible shootings from happening, we look for ways to support children struggling with mental illness. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers