“It's the guns. It's always been the guns.” – Tennessee Lookout

In the aftermath of a deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, educators like pre-K teacher Brandy Smith and middle school teacher John DeVore are expressing their frustration and fear regarding the lack of effective gun control measures. Despite the emotional toll and the increased number of drills, teachers are advocating for change and questioning the effectiveness of policies that aim to 'harden' schools without addressing gun access. Tennessee lawmakers have been criticized for their response, including proposals to arm teachers and expelling representatives calling for gun reform. Educators are urging lawmakers to visit schools and consider the perspectives of those directly affected by school safety policies. Some remain hopeful for change, while others are skeptical that enough will be done to prevent future tragedies.

Gov. Abbott heats up school voucher debate, calling for ESAs ‘for every child’ in Texas

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas spoke at Annapolis Christian Academy advocating for the expansion of education savings accounts, which allow parents to use public funds for private school tuition or other educational expenses. He emphasized parental rights and the need for educational options, referencing a successful microgrant program for students with disabilities. The article discusses various voucher-like bills being proposed in the Texas legislature, the opposition from public school advocates, and the potential impact on public school funding. It also mentions the broader national context, with similar efforts in other states like Florida. The article includes perspectives from both proponents and opponents of the voucher programs, touching on issues of accountability, educational standards, and the use of public money for private education.

A Texas school shooting left 19 children and two teachers dead. Teachers feel helpless and scared.

The article discusses the impact of the recent school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, on teachers. It highlights the emotional toll on educators who are already dealing with challenges from the pandemic and cultural conflicts. The shooting, which resulted in the death of 19 children and two teachers, has exacerbated the feeling of unsafety in schools. Teachers are coping with the grief of the tragedy, the difficulty of addressing the incident with their students, and the personal fear of facing such a situation themselves. The article suggests that without reform in gun laws, teachers fear that shootings could occur anywhere.