Why? Just why?
These are the emotions that go through my mind as a former special education student. Teachers are no different than you or me, going in to teach children about a variety of subjects, having to put up with the antics of some of the students for the purpose of making a living being a teacher.
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So, when I heard that there was a shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, VA, I couldn’t help but think to myself “not again.” When is enough going to be enough? How long will it take for something to be done to protect our teachers and students?
Then, I heard the shocking news that a 6 year old…A 6 YEAR OLD…had shot his teacher with a loaded handgun. I get it that teachers have to put up with a lot, but this was something that I took extremely personally. If I had been upset with a teacher, a student or having a bad day as a whole, I certainly would not resort to such extremes.
You see, teachers and school administrators are part of my core audience as a self-advocate and public speaker and this goes far beyond when I had a strong relationship with my teachers in school. I was there for them just as much as they were there for me. They saw me as a son to them in a way that no other student would be viewed as such.
Hearing that a teacher getting shot at by her own student is deplorable and disgusting and it just makes me so mad. It goes to show you of the dangerous world that we are subjecting neurodiverse individuals and children to in terms of what is happening in our society.
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Now, Abby is a teacher that is no different than any other teacher. Just the fact that she is a 25 year old young woman already going through this nightmare sends a message that teachers are just as vulnerable as the students. It also makes me think of when I first met my middle school mentor, who was only a year older than Abby when I first met her in the summer of 2000.
To me, I look at teachers as more than just teachers, I see them as parental figures and people to look out for in the same manner as they would look out for a student. Being in special education allowed me to interact with teachers on a level that a general education student would not have. If I was a special education student at Richwood Elementary School and I heard that Abby got shot, the first question on my mind would be “is she okay?”
Sure, there would be a lot to process, but could you really blame any neurodiverse student for having to process a lot? Not only is there a gun involved, but being around frightened students and teachers, the sounds of police and firefighters running around trying to get students out safely, the parents worrying about their children and asking a barrage of questions. It would absolutely be a sensory inducing nightmare.
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And one might wonder just how more of these shootings can we take not just in our society, but especially for the health and well-being of neurodiverse individuals? Did the 6 year old who shoot Abby on Friday afternoon care about any neurodiverse students in his school, let alone in the classroom at the time?
If there is one thing I can say to the 6 year old who brought the gun to school and his parents…it would be shame on all of you and I hope you are all punished to the fullest extent of the law.
For the students and teachers at Richwood Elementary School, please know that as the uncle of two little girls, I can say that I understand your fear and frustration of what goes on in schools these days. But as long as you stick together and take one step at a time, you will get through this nightmare.
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As for Abby Zwerner herself, I am continuously praying for you in your recovery. You did your job; you protected your students and anyone else from getting into harm’s way. Your whole family and your whole community are proud of you for saving lives in a moment of sheer terror and anxiety. Be proud of yourself, even though that it is easier said than done right now. Get well soon!!
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Catch you all later!!
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