I Say "Arm Our Teachers!"

I know this may sound very different than you may believe, but I say "Arm Our Teachers!"  In recent years, we have seen the fear and uncertainty in the eyes of our children, and as parents... most of us will do anything to ensure they are safe, unafraid and well.  It is our job to ensure they make it in this world, physically, mentally, spiritually, and educationally.   That is what parents do.  After the school shootings that have flooded our news feeds and hearing the voices of children crying out for themselves... I say "Arm Our Teachers!"

NOT WITH GUNS! 

When I suggest arming our teachers, I am not talking about guns or gun control.  That is foolishness.  Why, because those same teachers are stressed with jobs, home circumstances, health fears, relationship challenges and anger issues.  Arming them could make our children safe, but it could also put a whole classroom in jeopardy of a meltdown; and we know it can happen.  We have seen videos of children going off on teachers, hitting them, disrespecting them.. and we get angry when a teacher does anything to defend themselves.  I have heard it said "But they are the adults."  Yes, but somehow some parents have 'raised' their kids to believe that they are adults, and they go face to face with their teachers and others in authority.  So arming the teachers with guns, is not the answer.  But I still say "Arm Our Teachers!" 

HOW TO ARM THEM

If we really want a change in our schools, let's arm them.

SALARY: With a decent salary for mentoring and molding the next generation.  If we are not happy with who we get, put the money in to get better.  Either way, value those who spend most of their day with OUR KIDS teaching them the things we are not equipped to teach.  Money answers a lot of things, it can help us arm teachers to be more effective.

SUPPLIES: Teachers should not have to pull from their already slim pockets to provide what is necessary to teach our children.  They should be free to be creative and productive in the classroom.  Again put money in a fund and make it available for those teachers who have ideas and skills to take our kids to another level!  Have incentive for those who want to think and teach outside the box, but the right now the box is empty.  Our children deserve to be updated with information  and supplies that are current.  That should be the norm.  I remember sitting in on a bond meeting for a school district right when they were introducing laptops for every child in their High schools.  The creative ideas they had to keep their students relevant were amazing, but costly.  In that district it passed because people understood the need.  We have to put things in place for ALL schools.

SUPPORT: Parents, teachers need more than just a PTA to do their jobs well, they need the support of parents, guardians and the powers that be, to do their job.  That support may be our presence at PTA meetings, it may also be our trust that they mean well for our kids.  Granted, I realize in years past we have seen some pretty horrible things when it comes to teachers behaving badly, but if you pay more, you can draw from a pool of better qualified candidates.  Have support for children  or teachers who need counseling or follow up during difficult times.  Provide mental health opportunities or classes that can assist those who need it and inform those who think they don't.  Listen to what the teachers are saying is working or not working for their kids.  Children learn differently, but they can learn.  That teacher should be empowered to ensure it happens. 

SPANK:  (Okay, that was extra, but it began with a "S").  

We are not supposed to 'spank" any more, but we do need to discipline our OWN kids!  If they do not respect us, they will not automatically respect other authorities.  Whether it is the teachers, law enforcement or even their future employers, our children feel they do not have to respond to anyone if they do not want to.   No classroom should be held captive by a student that insists on disrupting it, or a parent who refuses to intervene.  There are 'how many' children in the class that came to learn?  We owe them the opportunity to learn.  

SECURITY: Last of all, if we really want to see a change, yes arm someone.  Arm trained security officers to be present in the schools to assist with disruptions in the classrooms, to confront any person who should not be on campus, and for those instances that we have seen turn into active shooters.  Secure the facility with inconspicuous metal detectors, and have guidelines for what kids can bring or not bring to school.  When there is a problem with a child or teacher, don't ignore it, deal with it!  Have a forum where parents can confidentially give info if they are concerned about their own child possible acting out. 

I love teachers, I love that they continue to do a job that is often thankless, difficult and not always celebrated.  Sometimes the best appreciation they get is from the children they see years later - thanking them for being there, for being firm with them when they were hard headed, for believing in them when they didn't believe in themselves and for teaching them. 

Instead of arming our teachers to guard our children, 

we should  arm them so they can TEACH them.