Minnesota Teachers Shaken By Tragedy Seek Compensation

Published in Ed Week Online December 10th, 2010

In this article, a darker side of teaching was brought to the forefront. I've always imagined working with innocent, sweet young children and have never really thought about some of the tragedies that have occurred or could occur in schools. And I certainly never would have imagined that if I were involved in a traumatic situation, that I wouldn't have the full support of the community and the school district to take the necessary measures to be healed.

The article made a good point, the military goes out of its way to support soldiers with PTSD, but yet our society does not do the same for teachers. The value our society places on the teaching profession is so low (evidenced by pay, respect, etc.) but the value placed on education is so high. Politicians are regularly heard preaching the value of a good education and how everyone should have an opportunity to go to college if they wish. Demands on teachers are at an all time high to make sure students are passing state tests and receiving differentiated instruction. I think this clash of values will eventually be forced into the spotlight and changes will have to be made in order for our educational system to undergo true, meaningful reform. 

A good place to start the shift in values, is by recognizing teachers as real human beings with their lives on the line during tragedies, like the one at the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. Policymakers ought to follow a moral compass and do what is right, by paying for the necessary medical costs and lost wages for teachers suffering from PTSD. Mental wounds can be just as debilitating as any physical wound inflicted. 

I hope in my career I will never have to face a situation like the shooting in Minnesota. I also hope educational policy makers in this country will take a serious look at changing the current workman's compensation system to support teachers, thereby making a statement to start to change the value placed upon teachers in this country.