Teachers respond to President Trump’s suggestion of arming school faculty

Following a meeting with the victims of the Parkland massacre, president Donald Trump proposed about a fifth of the nation’s teachers be equipped with weapons in order to stop an active shooter in an emergency. As talk of the national concern hits districts and schools, questions have been raised by teachers and administrators into the effectiveness of this solution.

“This is a terrible idea,” social studies teacher Lara Boles said. “Think of all of the accidents that could happen. If teachers had weapons in an active shooter situation, how would the police know who the actual shooter was? What if the active shooter got a hold of a teacher’s weapon in the building?”

In addition to safety and security hazards, other staff members question the morality of the role of guns in a school environment.

“Creating a culture where guns are the norm will do nothing to halt gun violence. In fact, it would normalize guns in schools, which is the exact opposite of what we need,” English teacher Dan Barnes said. “Students should be able to go to school without the fear or even of the sight of guns.”

Spanish teacher Jess Verweyst also recognizes the proposition’s threats, and furthermore, its large price tag. According to The Washington Post, it would cost about $1500 per teacher to equip and train them with a weapon, which totals to about one billion dollars nationally.

“In my opinion, bringing weapons into the school will only create a bigger security issue, not even considering the cost,” Verweyst said. “For armed teachers, the annual training needed would be costly and not necessarily effective.”

A survey was sent to the faculty, and one hundred percent of respondents would rather see this funding used for other means in the district. Specific improvements could include funding towards technology, attendance at conferences and increased wages.

“I’d like to purchase classroom sets of calculators or computers. I could get 15 graphing calculators or 10 Chromebooks at that price tag,” math teacher Patrick Mooney said. “I could also use new desks, more math manipulatives, and many other supplies before I need a firearm.”

Social studies teacher Jeffrey Chazen believes in efforts put towards alternative resources and methods to prevent gun violence in schools.

“Take every teacher’s $1500 and hire a trained first responder or ex-military person, or hire more counselors to deal with fragile mental health students,” Chazen said. “Give me more training toward mental health or conflict mediation.”

Counselor Jen Spotanski agrees that addressing the issues leading to violence is a more effective solution.

“I do not think [arming teachers] is the answer, I believe we need to address the mental health issue, which is the problem,” Spotanski said. “[Implementing] more police, stricter laws and more staff for mental health prevention would secure schools better.”

For English teacher Kimberly Hanan-West, the idea of being armed is simply not in her job description.

“I don’t want to be armed,” Hanan-West said. “My role is that of an educator and not security. I don’t feel I can effectively do both.”