Mass school shootings continue to shift academic roles
This Saturday marks 20 years since the Columbine school massacre.
The school shooting claimed the lives of 12 students and one teacher in Littleton, Colo.
At the time, it was the deadliest school shooting in American history.
But since then, there have been many more mass school shootings to follow causing a shift in how schools handle safety and security.
In a weekly meeting between the Gadsden School District superintendent and some of the district’s principals, the effects of mass school shootings on their education system were discussed.
They all agreed that the role of teachers and administrators is shifting from simply educators to placing a priority on tending to the safety and emotional needs of students.
Dr. Raymond Aguilera, Gadsden School District Superintendent, stresses the importance of being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to the safety of his students.
He’s implemented a system with his team of principals to ensure all teachers and staff are prepared in the event of an active shooter on campus.
That includes a partnership with the San Luis Police Department for professional active shooter training but also being attentive to their students’ behavior on a daily basis.
Luis Reyes, Assistant Principal at Southwest Jr. High, said, “Our teachers get training on how to identify any problems with our students and to refer them to our counselors. So I think that one of the big things is the consistency of being present.”
Omar Duran, Principal at Southwest Jr. High, added, “We see our students come in every morning. Personally standing outside at the door and greeting our students, [we’re] able to make that connection on a daily basis. When you do that, you get a sense of how they’re coming into our school. In case of any circumstance, we will be able to identify any triggers our students are displaying at that moment.”
The principals believe it is better to be transparent with their students on these matters and build a sense of trust.
Along with quarterly lockdowns and active shooter drills, teachers and counselors often have open conversations with students about mental and emotional health.
Yet, parents, students, and teachers across the nation have expressed mixed feeling about implementing such training and activities into the education environment.
However, the Gadsden School District is embracing this controversial moment as an opportunity to truly build relationships with their students and their community.
