What would you do if a school shooter entered your building and threatened your students? That's what Heidi has only a few seconds to decide when she hears the LOCKDOWN! announcement repeated three times and shots ringing out in the halls. Part 2...
Thanks for checking out my story. As a former (burnt out) teacher, this one comes from the heart. It's my first time doing this, so feel free to give feedback, but please...be gentle. ;-)
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PART 1: THE BAD-ASS TEACHER
Another Monday brought yet another teacher meeting. Heidi and Stephanie spent most of the time grading papers and texting GIFs to each other. Heidi's seventh text read, SOOOO many more important things I could be doing!
Before the principal dismissed everyone, he mentioned, "...also there's a school shooter training on Friday for anyone who'd like to participate."
"A what?" yelled out one of the few male teachers from the back as everyone looked puzzled.
The principal replied, "In light of everything going on around the country, we thought it best to have someone come in and train us on what to do if there's ever an active shooter in our building."
Heidi looked at Stephanie with eyes wide, pulled her brown hair back into a ponytail and said, "Cool!"
Stephanie looked surprised. They stood up with the other teachers, gathered their materials and headed out to the hallway.
#
On Wednesday a slow trickle of parents came in and out of the building for conferences with teachers. The meetings were only partially productive since most of the ones who attended were the "good" parents with "good" kids. Occasionally a few naughty ones came in and managed to discuss ways to improve their child's issues.
"I don't understand why you don't give more homework," one parent commented. "she needs to be challenged to work harder."
Heidi pulled out a stack of worksheets and a list of websites that could be done at home and handed them to the dad while explaining their benefits.
"I don't understand why you give homework at all!" the next parent complained.
Heidi managed a smile despite this reminder that it is possible for perfectly normal, smart human beings to have no future because a parent won't do their job. "Because he stares at the wall and does nothing at school all day."
"But that's because he has ADHD."
Heidi smiled again...If I had a dime for every time I've heard that excuse... "Does that mean he's not able to click on a video and watch it?"
"Um, no."
"Well, he refuses to do it in class, so he has to do it at home."
"But we're tired at night and I don't want to figure out what work he's missing."
With a deep breath, Heidi responded, "We offer free after school tutoring twice a week. He could stay and get one-on-one help without any distractions on those days."
