Itâs a tough time to be a teacher. And a parent.
On March 27, 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.
On Wednesday, April 5, students across the country took part in a national walkout 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 hereâs 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 peopleâincluding three elementary studentsâwere 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 itâs like to be in classrooms right now, and how it feels to send their own kids to school every day. Hereâs 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 youâre looking for resources on what to say to your students after tragedy, head to the link in our bio. If youâd like to share your reality of what itâs like to be a teacher right now, stitch this and tag us. #teachersoftiktok #teacherreality #teachingintheusa #nashville #teachertok
In short?
âThere will never be another time where I donât have to lock my classroom door.â âKellie Barragan
âTeaching today is nothing short of devastating.â âAmber Mueller
âWhat would we do if this actually happened. How would we survive?â âMeghan Mathis
âWould I save my students, or my own first grader across the hall?â âKimberley Gorelik
âWeâre not being listened to.â âJosie 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, Danielle Barr, Malia Bartek, Meghan Mathis, and Kelly Guzman.