Over the last 7 years I've imagined what I would do in that situation every time we practice our code red drills. I've contemplated buying a fence cutter to keep next to the window and a big knife to keep on a shelf in a cabinet that I can't even reach.
I hope for the bravery that the teachers and administrators at Sandy Hook showed in any situation where I have to stand up for my students. The courage to love and protect them no matter the personal cost. As heart broken as I am, I've never been prouder to call myself a teacher.
On Saturday morning the parent of a former student contacted me to ask what she should say to her daughter who has seen the news coverage and is devastated. I didn't know what to say as I don't have children of my own and we are on break so it wasn't something I was considering having to confront. I started looking online and found the web site for the National Association of School Psychologists.
They have tons of resources, this one in particular is about helping children cope with national tragedies. Children grieve differently than adults and sometimes aren't prepared to talk about an event until days, weeks, or even months after it happens. I wanted to bookmark this for myself and share it with you in case it is needed for future reference.
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Leave me a love note! If you leave something nasty I'll hunt you down and karate chop you. Real talk. My computer has spyware. I know where you live :)