Another school shooting…children running from buildings with their hands up like common criminals…assault weapons and automatic pistols used by their own friends and neighbors…bullying one another as though it’s a joke.  This is what America’s education system has become.  Our children are going to school in fear because they are continually bombarded by the violence of society.  Our children are defending themselves, rather than unchanged adult laws.  How many children, fearing for their lives, will it take before our nation takes more control over its failed gun laws?  Other countries have problems and change the laws almost immediately.  Why not us?

It’s been 12 years since I retired from public school teaching.  I can’t fathom the fears our children have today.  I left my classroom, but nothing has curbed the spread of violence in our country’s education system.  When will we, as a nation, say, “Enough!  Change the laws.  Nothing is more sacred than our God-given children, not even the second amendment.”  The day assault weapons were put on our streets was the day we became their hostages.

I can remember from my own childhood only two school drills: a fire drill and a nuclear bomb drill.  Both drills were mandated by most states to occur at least two or three times in a school year, if not more.  Then Columbine happened, and all school doors had to be locked to prohibit people from coming inside without permission.  The nearest open door to my classroom was the bus door right down the hallway.  When I was notified about a drill, I had to check the hallway and absorb any student in the hallway into my already crowded classroom.  My students had to practically sit on top of one another to be considered in a safe spot in my room.  Now, in most schools, there are regular shooter drills and many occur on the first day of school.  Teachers and staff have to be ever vigilant about all student behaviors and family situations to try to curb students from turning on each other for many reasons.  Every adult who is not normally a part of a school must be questioned as to why they are in the school.

I am concerned about our youth and this angry world.  Not only do we need better laws about the use of guns, but we also need better health care for mental illnesses.  What is more important to our nation: a stagnant Congress and stagnant state assemblies or our children’s education and their welfare?  It’s time to take a STAND; this is my first STEP.  Maybe I’ll run for public office; maybe I’ll walk all the way to the Oval Office.  As Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”  Isn’t it time that we put our children first and make sure they have a LIFE to LIVE?

Anna Hartt