School Home

As millions of others did on Friday, December 14^th, I sat glued to the television listening as more details were given about the horrific act performed in Newfound, CT.  My heart physically ached for the parents and families of the beautiful children who are no longer able to hold their children here on earth.  I thought of the teachers and staff of the school- their heroic actions that saved the lives of many other innocent students.

            As I tried to imagine the thoughts that went through those teachers’ heads as the reality of what was happening hit them, my own classroom and students surfaced.  What would I do to protect my students?  Would I be bold like Sandy Hook’s principal, Dawn Hochsprung, and charge an intruder, hoping they would take my life instead of my students?  Would I be quick enough to lock my classroom doors, hide my students, stand in front of them as a barrier- how would I protect my students in my own classroom?

            I don’t think any of us can say what we would truly do in any situation until we’re there.  We can say what we hope we would do, or what we think we would do, but we’re never sure until the moment arises. 

For many students, school becomes a home away from home because so much time is spent there building relationships and friendships; it’s a safe haven, a place where they feel protected.  While no one can take the place of a child’s own parent, teachers become a surrogate mother or father while a child is away from their home.  Teachers spend hours with students- teaching why 2 + 2 equals 4, developing an appreciation of reading, how our country became a great land, why it’s important to include everyone (even through they’re not your best friend), laughing with them, learning from them, comforting and disciplining.  At the beginning of the school year classes quickly lose the unfamiliar faces of ‘students’ and instead become teachers’ own surrogate children.  As so many teachers across this country, in Littleton, Colorado, in Newtown, Connecticut, have already shown us, teachers will do whatever it takes to protect our children from someone who enters our school home. 

I have always been proud to be a teacher- through the ups and downs, the financial battle, the change of curriculums every few years- I have always believed in and been proud of the profession I am a part of.  Today, in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, I feel humbled to be in the ranks with the courageous teachers who sacrificed their lives for the children God placed in their lives to teach, to protect, to love.  Today, I am even more proud to call myself a teacher.

By: Julie M. Aldridge