It’s a tough time to be a teacher. And a parent.
Last week, six people were killed in a school shooting in Nashville. This included three elementary students and three adults. Just five days prior, a 17-year-old student shot and wounded two administrators at East High School in Colorado. This comes less than a year after 19 students and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. And the list goes on.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 5, students across the country will take part in a national walkout at noon local time to demand action from lawmakers to address gun violence. Even our students are standing up for what they believe in.
At WeAreTeachers we whole-heartedly believe that we need common-sense gun control measures to help end the epidemic of gun violence in our schools. We need stronger funding for guidance counselors, mental health professionals, and school nurses.
We are teachers and we are parents. And we are heartbroken by this path we are on. What is the reality of teaching right now? The reality of being a parent?
We asked the teachers and parents we know, and here’s what they had to say:
@weareteachers_ What is the reality of teaching in the U.S. right now? What is the reality of being a parent? Last week, six people—including three elementary students—were killed in a school shooting in Nashville. Just five days prior, a 17-year-old student shot and wounded two administrators at East High School in Colorado. This comes less than a year after 19 students and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. And the list goes on. We asked teachers and parents to share what it’s like to be in classrooms right now, and how it feels to send their own kids to school every day. Here’s what they had to say. Sending a special thank you to the teachers and parents who shared their voices with us. Amber Mueller, @thankfultoteach Emily Wilde April Nguyen, @academicallyapril Brandon Pena, @themr.pena Cara Vega, @withloveyourcoteacher Josie McClain Kellie Barragan, @theadventuresofmsbsbusybees Fenyx Blue Taylor Hagemeyer, @growhomewithme Erin Hoffman Austin Kimmie Fink Kimberley Gorelik Malia Bartek Meghan Mathis Kelly Guzman Danielle Barr If you’re looking for resources on what to say to your students after tragedy, head to the link in our bio. If you’d like to share your reality of what it’s like to be a teacher right now, stitch this and tag us. #teachersoftiktok #teacherreality #teachingintheusa #nashville #teachertok
In short?
“There will never be another time where I don’t have to lock my classroom door.” —Kellie Barragan
“Teaching today is nothing short of devastating.” —Amber Mueller
“What would we do if this actually happened. How would we survive?” —Meghan Mathis
“Would I save my students, or my own first grader across the hall?” —Kimberley Gorelik
“We’re not being listened to.” —Josie McClain
Sending a special thank you to the teachers and parents who shared their voices with us. Amber Mueller, April Nguyen, Brandon Pena, Cara Vega, Josie McClain, Kellie Barragan, Fenyx Blue, Emily Wilde, Taylor Hagemeyer, Erin Hoffman Austin, Kimmie Fink, Kimberley Gorelik, Malia Bartek, Meghan Mathis, and Kelly Guzman.
If you’d like to share your reality of teaching, tag us on Instagram at @weareteachers or on TikTok at @weareteachers_ and we’ll share as many as we can.
