There’s a Gun in my School:
Helping Teachers Prevent and
React to School Violence
Dr. Amy Andersen
Dr. Harry Hueston
West Texas A&M University
Issues
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How are teachers being trained to prevent
and react to school violence?
What are school districts in your area doing
to train teachers?
Issues
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Districts in our area were giving a quick
overview of lockdown procedures on each
campus but no formal training for teachers
Issues
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Created a survey to investigate
Demographic data
Statements about school violence training
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I am aware of procedures
I know how to report a weapon on campus
I am worried about the possibility, etc.
Survey
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Survey created for in-service teachers
We would like you to fill out the survey now
to help us and your administrators decide
what your needs are as teachers
Texas Law Issues
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All districts must have a multi-hazard
security operations plan in place which
must include:
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District employee training for emergency
response
Mandatory school drills involving employees and
students
Coordination with local emergency
management and law enforcement
School Violence Statistics
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School Associated Violent Deaths for 20042007
Talk about results with your colleagues
Any patterns that you note?
Issues
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Confer with your colleagues to come up
with the following
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List the top three concerns you have about
violence in schools or the classroom
Be ready to share these concerns with the group
Possible Issues for Discussion
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Bullying
Characteristics of possible violent students
MySpace/Facebook
Others?
Characteristics
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Most troubled youth involved in violent
incidents have demonstrated or talked with
others about:
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Bullying
Feelings of isolation
Feelings of anger
Depression
Frustration
Overview of Full Workshop
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Introduction of program goals
Shared survey results
Shared national crime statistics showing
size and makeup of towns affected
Preview of the use of verbal judo
Overview of Full Workshop
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Verbal judo steps
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Introduce the steps of verbal judo
Practice each step
Role play possible violent situations using verbal
judo skills
Overview of Full Workshop
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There’s a gun in my classroom! Role play
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Participants given scenario
Groups must write what they would do
Report/discuss with group
Group/ leaders critique and problem solve
Overview of Full Workshop
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Discuss/critique lockdown procedures of
area school districts
Overview of Full Workshop
 Active
shooter
Active school shooter situation described
in detail
 Reviewed steps in lockdown
 What police will do
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University Police chief
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Contents of active
shooter kit
Details of police actions
Details of possible
scenes
Overview of Full Workshop
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Related issues
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Media
Parents
Aftermath
Close with long discussion of emotional
aftermath of active shooter incidents
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Seek counseling
Counseling for students
Overview of Full Workshop
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Areas of student concern in session 3 and
4
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What if a student is left out in the hall after doors
are closed and locked?
Who can I open the door to?
Why don’t they signal an “all clear” on the PA
system?
Student Reactions
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“This program really put things in
perspective for me. There has always
been this little voice in the back of my mind
asking what I would do in a situation such
as a school shooting. I feel like I could be
prepared for such an event.”
Student Reactions
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“The demonstration from the police chief
and the video were such an eye opener. I
got LOTS of valuable information.”
Student Reactions
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“This was really good. Why couldn’t you
have the scenario played out from
beginning to end. Put us in the situation
with police and everything involved.”
Next Steps
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Students will take post program survey
Data will be analyzed and compared with
pre-program survey
Students will receive certificate of
completion to place in their portfolio
Can We Help You?
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If you are interested in training your
students or teachers in your district, please
contact us.
You can email
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Dr. Harry Hueston hhueston@wtamu.edu
Dr. Amy Andersen aandersen@wtamu.edu