Gone Too Soon

Last year, when I was forced to take a year off from work, there occurred the most disastrous day. I can remember sitting, watching the news, and all of a sudden the most unfortunate video splashed across the screen. News began trickling in about an emotionally disturbed boy who had taken out his wrath on an unsuspecting elementary school in Newtown. I watched as people in my profession became heroes, as well as victims. 

Now it has happened again. Two more teacher victims have been taken down this week, and try as I may, I just can't stop thinking about it.  There is an epic problem in the field of education.  Teachers and students are no longer safe. 

I've always respected how the airline industry uses the term souls to account for the people onboard the airplane before takeoff. I think it's the best word to describe people - those we've lost in our schools, or anyplace in the line of duty for that matter. But the problem inside our nation's schools is teachers have not chosen the profession to be combative. In fact, most teachers are more focused on a peaceful existence, presenting topics to kids about problem solving and character, along side their lessons which also contain academic rigor. Like deer in the headlights, or lambs being led to slaughter, or Ducks Unlimited dedicated teachers are working hard today in our schools, which unfortunately have become a place for killing defenseless souls.