Shooting Night for Educators?

Okay, so I know this doesn't directly involve my research, but its something I think I'd like to keep in mind as I continue forward--I think it shows a rather sad commentary of our education system today.

This morning, as I was driving in to work, I passed the "new" shooting range over on Old Shell. I had to do a double take when I saw their sign. Apparently, Monday nights are now set aside for educators.

I know that Mobile city and county schools are getting increasingly more violent, but are we really to the point of needing firearms training for teachers? Apparently the owners of the shooting range think so--and there must be others who believe the same, or else the special weekly evenings would be a flop.

All of this leads me to wonder about what learning is actually going on in the local schools. If instructors are in such fear for their personal safety that they have to take firearms training, are they truly able to do their jobs and effectively teach? And how does such tension (in light of recent horribly violent events on school campuses) affect students' learning ability? Are we, in effect, raising a generation of students who simply don't have the "right stuff" because of the short attention spans due to stress, both mental and physical?

I know that there are some environments in which learning/training has to take place under dangerous conditions (for example, certain military and industry work)--the underlying message in the training is that if you screw up, you're dead. That might work with adults, but it concerns me that, more and more we're seeing that this kind of mindset is occurring on our school campuses as well.

I don't really have any answers. I wonder if anyone does. I guess, in a way, those working at the firing range are offering teachers an option to try to keep themselves safe. I just think its rather sad that its come to teachers feeling the need to pack heat.

test post

I'm trying my hat at blogging again. I figured it would be a good idea to record my thoughts and feelings as I get further along in this process of earning my doctorate.

Joe'l said the other night in our graduate research seminar that earning a doctorate is a lot like giving birth--that somehow, when you look back on all the struggles, you can't really remember the pain. Hmmmm--I don't know if I believe her, but it's certainly something to look forward to. ;o)