Armed Teachers: Thinking Outside the Box

[howdy]

There is a president that works. Harold ISD. The different school boards need to get that information and build off of it.

I agree that is a great model. But even they don't allow all CHLers to carry. . . he requires additional training for anybody who is allowed to carry. Not ideal, but palatable.

In the near term, however, we know that the urban and suburban districts aren't going to follow suit. The idea I proposed is interesting because it leaves them almost without an argument. . . if you can trust a full-time cop, you can trust a commissioned cop who happens to be a full time teacher.

Tarrant County College's police academy is $900 and 18 weeks. One of my family member's districts spent at least that this summer to send her to a 4-day technology conference in San Diego. . . and I think at least 4-5 teachers went. There are other part time courses, too.

I'm sure there's still some roadblocks.

I'd be interesting to have some teachers propose this to their districts and gauge the reaction.

$900 is just the cost of tuition.
"The overall cost for students to complete the Basic Peace Officer Academy is within the range of $2,200 to $3,500."
Overall Costs for Students (last paragraph on the page)

The classes are only offered during the day and are 18 weeks long.

"Monday through Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
18 weeks
696 hours

January 14 – May 17
March 25 – July 25
May – September
July – November"
Times and Dates

Our break is only 10 weeks which means even doing the class over the summer I would still miss 2 months of school. I don't see any ISD eating the total costs associated with the class or eating the 2 months out of the classroom.

Again, I refer to the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. FFDO's have a very limited area of responsibility. They don't need to know everything a full fledged LEO knows. They do need to know how to shoot, handgun retention, basic physical contact skills, malfunction drills, etc. They don't get the driving skills, handcuff/baton training. You name it. Their job is to protect the cockpit, not the airplane cabin. Teachers could take a very abbreviated course in both time and cost. Thinks of the things a LEO has to master that a CHL doesn't need to know. A Teacher needs a very intensive handgun course and have a very limited set of duties. It is basically protect your classroom/students only. The handgun will always be on the Teachers person and concealed. No one will know who is armed and who is not. All we are trying to do is make the BG think a school is not a soft target any more. Like someone else said, the numbers are not that important. The perception is. Maybe the BG will take his madness to a mall, church...anyplace besides a school. I carry a gun for these possibilities. They do not scare me.(that much). I am scared for my Teacher Daughter and her babies.

[HenryV]

I would love to know how many teachers would be behind this program. Right now, we're discussing this on a forum of CHL holders/gun enthusiasts with some members who are teachers. Discuss this on a forum where it's teachers, some with CHL's, and the discussion would be interesting.

[jmra]

I would love to know how many teachers would be behind this program. Right now, we're discussing this on a forum of CHL holders/gun enthusiasts with some members who are teachers. Discuss this on a forum where it's teachers, some with CHL's, and the discussion would be interesting.

There are 50 or so teachers on my campus. Of those 50 I am only on a first name basis with about 10 (mostly because my department is specialized). Of those 10, 7 would fight to be first in line for the program.

My overall impression is that there would be overwhelming support at my campus.

In fact, since Monday I have had several coworkers that I don't know very well contact me wanting advice/suggestions on their first gun purchase. I'm sure my pro 2A FB posts were what prompted them to come to me. I'm not sure that this equates to them wanting guns in the classroom but it does indicate to me a shift in mindset.

[fickman]

I used TCC just to ballpark it. There used to be a private academy in Trophy Club that was a little cheaper. I'm sure if anybody ran with it, an academy would step forward to accommodate educator's schedules.

I definitely agree with something more akin to the pilot's program. . . I only went the LEO route b/c it's something that already exists and nothing new would need to be created. I also agree that a full LEO commission would be overkill for what the teacher actually needs.

My order of preference would be:
1. All CHLs carry in schools
2. Pilot program
3. Teachers / admins get LEO commission

Regarding not wanting x number of teachers at a school to be armed because you wouldn't trust them: chances are, they wouldn't be. Most people don't get a CHL. If they are interested and do the work, then more power to them. Guess what, they can be carrying across the street at a coffee shop where those same students are hanging out 10 minutes after school dismisses.

The other issue with the LEO is that many LEOs make more than many teachers, and probably most custodians, so you might end up inadvertently training your staff for better paying jobs. The pilot program would not have this drawback.

Most likely you'd see some principals, vice principals, a coach, and a rare teacher take advantage of the idea. . . which would still be better than the status quo.

[magillapd]

Teachers should not be police officers. We don't want a police state. Teachers should not be forced to carry if they don't want to. But, CHL holders should be allowed to carry in schools as teachers if they chose to. The goal would be to defend themselves in the classrooms. Kids huddle in corner, teacher standing over them making sure bad guy doesn't barge through door.

[xring]

Just a reminder we don't need Teachers to be Police Officers. We need time for the Police to arrive and the children need to be protected during that time. Each school is a little different. Some schools are 5 minutes from police some are 30 minutes. Levels of protection vary. We need a way to slow down any attack and a method to defend the children if the intruder gets past the doors & locks. I know many people think they are prepared to defend themselves because the were able to put enough rounds into a big blue circle but I have seen the same folks arrive at a competition IDPA USPA IPSC and totally lock up. The ones that come back improve and I'm sure they would be better in a stressful environment but probably still not qualified to do a House clearing in a place that has hundreds of noncombatants. That's why I suggest better school entrance with automatic locks better emergency communication to classrooms and strong doors and bolts on classroom doors. Some very basic firearms training for teachers ( How to work a Pump Shotgun kept locked securely in every classroom. ) ( How to have the kids take cover) ( How the Teacher takes cover & Defends one locked door) Sadly if all this takes place the scumbag insane nutcase will just choose a softer target like a theater, a playground or bus stop. If you want to see my entire rant look for it under Letter to my Superintendent .