Sadly, school shootings have skyrocketed in the last twenty years. But what if I told you that each incidence could have been prevented? What if I told you that we CAN prevent the next shooting…before it happens?
In part 1, I discussed the issue of mental health in school shootings, which is often ignored by the masses. Many want to preach about the importance of gun control or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, gun promotion. However, they fail to discuss the root problems which too often lead to these tragedies- bullying and mental health.
Preventing future shootings is easier than you think. All it takes is to seek out the kids in your school, whom are bullied, ignored, marginalized, sad and alone. You have to admit that these kids are the easiest to spot.
I can guarantee that if everyone reached out to the kid who always sits alone in the lunchroom, to the kid known for having his face slammed into the lockers or flushed down the toilet, the poor girl who is constantly slut/fat-shamed, or the pregnant girl or teen mother who’s relentlessly being called a whore and gave them a kind word- an encouraging message of love, and them know that they still matter and have value, I’m positive that it would make a huge difference.
Kindness costs nothing. Just one kind word or gesture, just ONE, can be the difference between life or death, the difference between a senseless suicide or the will to live, and the difference between the decision to go on a shooting spree at school or to leave the gun at home and employ more constructive and productive means to handle bullying!
Think about it!
Actually, school shootings haven’t, if I read the data correctly, haven’t skyrocketed in the last 20 years. Coverage of them has, and that’s undoubtedly led to copycats, but shootings needn’t “skyrocket” to be horrible and horrific.
https://news.northeastern.edu/2018/02/26/schools-are-still-one-of-the-safest-places-for-children-researcher-says/
There’s plenty out there that says the same. This is just one article of thousands.
You have a point there. School shootings happened years ago but didn’t get the coverage they do today. Back in the day, school districts kept that sort of thing quiet to preserve their reputations.
Teachers are there to teach. Other staff in the classrooms, such as Teacher Assistants, need to be empowered to state their opinions. They see the social and academic failures in the group. Sadly, A TA’s role in the classroom, at that particular time, with that specific teacher, is only as powerful as the teacher will allow.
Some teachers shun TAs and see them as an ‘inconvenience’.
Other teachers will welcome the support and embrace their observations. I have been on both sides of this divide. I CHOOSE to be a TA as the social relationships I build with students are so important to me.
In the past I have managed a department for ASC and taught them. I loved the role but struggled with the politics when it came to ASC versus a full academic curriculum.
As a ‘Fly on the Wall’ I see the youth struggle with their identities and how they perceive they are viewed.
As you stated, one kind word, recognition and a friendly face that values them makes all the difference.
My students call me Miss Kat. There is not a day goes by that at last 3 students seek me out to tell me their latest news. My biggest issue is remembering who told me what and when and responding so they know I continue to care. Please read The Louis Method if you haven’t already. One of the many young people I really care for and RESPECT. Kat x
I have the utmost respect for you for being a TA and loving kids enough to be there for them. And I haven’t read or heard of the Louis Method but would love to read it. Thank you so much for the information. I’ll definitely look it up.
It’s on my site. Check my posts.
I sure will.
Thanks so much for sharing this issue. It is SO valuable. X
You’re most welcome. Thank you for your kind words. 😊❤
Yes, kindness costs nothing!
Thanks for your post, Cherie 🌹
My pleasure, Vincenza! ❤
Information like this is why your articles are so important!
This means a lot. Thank you so much. 😊
I love that these issues are being adressed. Being a parent in this day and age is very hard and information like this needs to be spread. Thank you
You’re most welcome. I can only imagine having minor children today and I feel for today’s parents and children. It was a different world when my children were growing up and sadly, there are many, many more dangers today than twenty years ago.