Is My Classroom Safe?

 

Today's blog will be a vulnerable side of the teaching advocate. As a current education major preparing to enter the classroom to teach, I always think: will my classroom be safe enough?

Over the years, violence in schools has increased rapidly, whether it be violence against teachers or school shootings. As teachers, we must prepare ourselves for the endless possibilities of violence that may occur within the schools. From teacher to teacher, I can honestly say that I am very nervous about my safety when entering the classroom.

There have been way too many incidents where parents send their children to school, which is supposed to be a "haven" for students, and something violent occurs. If I were a parent, that would honestly scare me. Schools are beginning to lack the safety and security that students and teachers need daily. Weapons entering our schools is something students, teachers, or administration should never have to worry about. Still, you must enter schools through a metal detector and check your backpack. The crazy part is some schools do have strict security and still aren't able to prevent weapons from coming into schools or preventing violence.

If my students and I were put into a situation like this, would I be able to protect my children and myself? It is unbelievable that this is a mindset you must prepare for in schools nowadays as a teacher.