Ask a group of children what a teacher is and you're bound to get distinctly different responses. Ask adults, and the same is likely to occur. The word connotes many meanings.
Since everyone in America is exposed to the education system for at least 12 years, each individual takes away a unique perspective about those teachers who helped shape his or her formative years. Even teachers, themselves, aren't sure how to define their roles.
Today, society leans on its teachers to give care and affection to neglected children; provide shelter, food, and sometimes clothing to children in need; engage and inspire children to innovate; mediate arguments and mend relationships; encourage values, equality and high expectations among all students; all the while attempting to pave a clear path to a successful future.
But teachers can't be all things to all students. While they may be able to handle all that has been asked of them - to be dream-makers, therapists, nurturers, coaches, motivators, even sometimes saviors - they can't also be asked to be armed guards. To consider adding this most chilling assignment to our children's teachers is disheartening and in itself, is to abandon a dream of a better tomorrow.
Everyone knows it takes a village to raise a child; well, it's time for the village to meet. Parents, neighbors, friends, strangers, along with teachers, need to come together to create a vision for an encouraging and reunifying future for all our sakes. Together, we can teach them well and let them lead the way.