Heartache

My heart aches for the students, parents, and educators in Connecticut. As many times as we practice for these types of scenarios within our schools, never could a horror of this magnitude be imaginable. I know the news of today's tragedy has been emotional for all Americans, and as an educator myself, this hits very close to home.

I am reminded of a serious lockdown 10 years ago at my school when I was student teaching. The principal told me to lock the door, close the blinds, keep the kindergarten students in a corner and not to open the door for anyone including parents. As I closed the blinds to our classroom, I saw a swarm of police officers surrounding the campus. Being a teacher means remaining calm for your students in any situation. I read them books and continued with the routine of our day just slightly altered. It wasn't until a briefing after school that I found out the father of one of the students in my class and husband of a teacher on campus had committed a homicide and then come to our campus. He was apprehended and no one was injured, but the fear and uncertainty of that day is still a vivid memory.

I don't think it could be possible for Brian and me to ever take a day with Drake and Kennedy for granted, but I do know that we are holding them a little tighter tonight.