I teach preschool at a community college, and I'd like to talk for a bit about how we prepare in case an active shooter situation were to arise on campus.
In such situations, we go into lockdown. It might happen if someone is reported armed and possibly dangerous at the college, or if, say, a volatile, noncustodial parent is seeking access to their child, or a relative with a restraining order, etc.
We have fire drills once a month, and alternative drills every other month. Alternative drills are usually either earthquake drills or lockdown drills. Honestly, I would feel better if we had lockdown drills more often, for reasons I'll explain. 3/
Here's what a lockdown drill looks like at my school. The first priority is to get away from windows and do our best to make it look like the building is empty, or at least hide where we are. We take all the children into the supply room in back, and we turn off the lights. 4/
As many as 20 children and however many teachers, student teachers, and aides may be present have to crowd into that room, and we have to be at silent as possible. Keep in mind that my classroom ranges in age from five, all the way down to two and a half. 5/
The younger children, and the occasional special needs child, do not understand what is happening, and sometimes they will scream and cry, even if it's just a drill. This is why I want to have them more often, so the children get used to it and not panic. 6/
We hunker down while our director tries the doors to the office and supply room - we'd better not have forgotten to lock them, even though we have an electronic lock on all the outer doors to the building as well. We tell the children we're playing a game... 7/
... Hiding so quietly that Miss K won't be able to find us. Then she comes and knocks at the door and tells the kids how great they did, and we go back into the classroom. But there's more to it. Before we hide, we have to lock the doors and close the window blinds. 8/
We have to drop the blinds quickly and get out of the room, so whenever we pull the blinds up, we have to wrap the cord so that it can be quickly unlooped and dropped. Right: 9/ 
If it's wrapped too tightly, it takes too long to unwind, costing precious seconds and risking a shooter discovering you. Wrong: 10/ 
We also don't know how LONG a lockdown will last, in a real situation. So we keep bottled water, juice, and crackers in a cupboard in the supply room, along with a first aid kit. The food is replaced every term, so it is fresh. 11/
My high school was the site of one of the earlier school shootings, before Columbine, before they became everyday occurrences. I had graduated the year before. I used to roleplay with one of the two guys who were killed, a friend of mine was injured, two more close friends... 12/
...were present during the shooting and have dealt with the resulting trauma for years. It affected my whole community. President Bill Clinton came to our town to visit. The nation was horrified. Now...our elected officials just shrug helplessly. 13/
After Newtown, I wondered how I would react if faced with the choice of dying to protect the children in my care. A while back there was a minor emergency, I forget what exactly - and everything turned out just fine, but I realized in the aftermath of the adrenaline... 14/
...I would absolutely do whatever I had to, in order to protect the children I teach and care for. I take my job and the well-being of these children very seriously. I teach them to share, to wash their hands, to count, to sing songs, to ask questions, to make friends. 15/
We don't usually think of the preschool teacher job description as including "die for your students," but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the majority of teachers WOULD. But we shouldn't have to consider that scenario so seriously. And no, I don't want armed guards. 16/
I DEFINITELY don't want to be armed myself, under any circumstances. I want basic gun control. Reasonable background check laws, a ban on high capacity clips and assault rifles, better ability for relevant agencies to intervene when a potential shooter displays warning signs. 17/
Oh, and if I ever DO find myself getting gunned down while protecting my preschoolers, God forbid? I want all of you to politicize the HELL out of my death. Do not wait, do not give my family time to grieve. I want outrage and action. Preferably NOW though, not after I die. 18/
I want our nation to take ACTION, before anyone else has to die. Before anymore CHILDREN have to die. Let's start politicizing this right now. And thank you for reading about my reality as a teacher in this gun-crazy society. /End
politicizemydeath.com
politicizemydeath.com
