First of all, Teachers, though it may not feel like it, statistically you and your students are safe on campus for the remainder of the school year.

That being stated, we must also realize that like it or not, school shootings are proving to be contagious behaviors. So, let’s look at some common sense things (in ranked order) you can do to make you, your classroom and your students safer.

1. Be calm, project confidence and engage positively with every student on your campus and with every student in your class. Make eye contact, smile, and greet everyone in a friendly manner. Be visible and keep your ears open and your head on a swivel. This is disarming to anyone on edge (for any reason) and it allows you to continuously mentally, auditorily and visually assess your surroundings and those who are in your vicinity.

2. Greet your students at the door of your class, EVERY PERIOD. Smiles, friendly words and fist bumps for everyone.

3. Clean out all the clutter in your classroom, file cabinets, closets and desk. Then over-organize everything that remains. You want to make sure that nothing can be hidden in your classroom and you want to be able to quickly assess if anything is new, strange or out of place.

4. Your windows should remain uncovered, but, have the ability to cover them quickly in case of an emergency.

5. While you and your students are in the classroom, keep the light on. Always.

6. Keep your door shut and locked. Train your students not to open the door, for anyone, without your permission.

7. Buy a simple rubber (not plastic, they slide too easily) door stop. In an emergency jam the rubber door stop under the door.

8. Close all doors behind you. Close and lock any exterior doors that you find propped open. And NEVER prop open an exterior door for your use. No matter how inconvenient you will personally find this.

9. Keep a first aid kit and some bottled water in your classroom room at all times.

10. Become an avid baseball fan. Or pretend that you are. Get a baseball bat that commemorates your favorite baseball team (even if you don’t like baseball). Keep the bat in your classroom closet or hang it high on the wall behind your desk. This is your best defensive weapon in an emergency.

11. Remember that windows are viable exits.

12. Plan for the best, prepare for the worst.

13. Be calm, project confidence and engage positively with every student on your campus and with every student in your class. Make eye contact, smile, and greet everyone in a friendly manner. Be visible and keep your ears open and your head on a swivel. This is disarming to anyone on edge (for any reason) and it allows you to continuously mentally, auditorily and visually assess your surroundings and those who are in your vicinity.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn…

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