Ask a teacher on Summer Break

[Brian37]

I'm a high school history teacher, and currently on summer vacation.  So I figure I have time for one of these now.

My mother was a retired teacher. As much as I love her she was a mostly GOP voter throughout her life. But, the one thing we did agree on is that she thought the idea of having armed teachers was bat shit insane. How do you feel about teachers carrying firearms?

[Cecelia]

My mother was a retired teacher. As much as I love her she was a mostly GOP voter throughout her life. But, the one thing we did agree on is that she thought the idea of having armed teachers was bat shit insane. How do you feel about teachers carrying firearms?

I'm 5'4, and weigh 114 lbs.  How hard would it be for a student to overpower me?  My sister-in-law who is also a teacher is shorter and lighter than I am.  How hard would it be for a student to overpower her?  I mean I've taken a little kickboxing, and regularly do Yoga--but I'm not thwarting many attackers.  (My sister is a kickboxing instructor, now SHE could probably take down some attackers.  But she's also a lot taller than me)

As teachers we're already required to know--without additional pay I might add-CPR.  Now they want to add firearm training as well?

Giving guns to teachers is a bad idea.  People already expect a lot out of us.  Now they want us to carry a gun, make sure students don't get a hold of it, and then possibly take down a shooter if one comes into the school?  Many teachers have already given their lives to protect their kids.  And I'd try to shield my students to the best of my abilities.  But no thanks to a gun.  That's just asking for trouble.  Not to mention that in such a situation it'd be too easy to panic.

Personally I think a better idea is classroom doors that lock from the inside.  That way if there's a shooter, you can lock the doors, and nobody can get in.  (We actually have codes for trouble)

[vorlon13]

There is no doubt in my mind one of my 7th grade classmates would have been shot dead had the instructor been armed.

Absolutely no doubt in my mind.

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

What do you do if a student is crushing on you

[Cecelia]

What do you do if a student is crushing on you

I continue to act professionally toward them.  I've never actually had a student tell me they had a crush, or try to hit on me--and if they did, I'd tell them that it was inappropriate.  I have overheard students saying some things, and I've suspected some students may have a crush on me, and the only thing I can do is continue treating them the same way I treat all of my students.