Teachers go through threat training amid new Oklahoma law
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a new law into effect meant to increase security at Oklahoma schools.
The law requires Oklahoma schools to undergo a risk and vulnerability assessment, and asks teachers to go through active threat training, including gunfire simulation.
Educators are hesitant about their new responsibility.
SB100 was always a good idea," John Waldron, state representative and former teacher, said. "Risk assessments in our schools and I was happy to support it. But, something about this makes me think that we have decided, if we can't prevent school shootings, we can prepare for them and that should give us pause.
Educators worry this adds a huge responsibility on top of teachers already heavy load to educate our next generation.
“We are actually also asking them to be counselors, to be sometimes snack providers, to be mental health support for a generation that faces unprecedented challenges," Waldron said.
I guess my question is, how much more can we actually add on teachers?," Shawna Mott-Wright, president of Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association, said. "How much more can we actually put on the backs of teachers? And by the way, that is not meant to be answered with challenge accepted.
But, now, we’re asking them to be our protectors.
“As the teacher in my classroom can't be responsible for everything under heaven on earth," Mott-Wright said. "I'm not Jesus. I am the teacher. I am there to teach. I'm there to love those kids. Make sure they feel safe, be them. Teach them that's that's what I'm there for. I'm not there to be a police officer. I didn't go to school for that. And I shouldn't have to do that on top of everything else I'm doing. “
With that said, Mott-Wright emphasizes her support for more safety.
I do think more money for security in terms of security resource officers and in terms of getting buildings physically more secure is a good thing," Mott-Wright said. "That is a really good thing. Putting more on the backs of teachers, period, regardless of what it is we're talking about, is an insane thing. Just because teachers work miracles every day. We are not Jesus.
She adds piling more responsibility on teacher will deter people from becoming educators.
Advocates say the greater change needs to be made as a society.
You know, more money on metal detectors or guns, that will only get you so far," Waldron said. "I think the best security for our school is a more secure society and that means more investment in mental health, more smaller classroom sizes, more time for teachers and students and administrators and counselors to build healthy relationships to make a healthier society.
Senate bill 100 will go into effect July 1, but some schools have already began active threat training.