Serious question for teachers, teacher cert students, parents

[JoDog]

I absolutely disagree with the crazed calls for allowing teachers to have guns in the classroom. However, I do think it is a good idea to make sure teachers have whatever knowledge and skills possible that may help in an emergency.

Would it be impossible/crazy/terrible to require teacher's certification students to study a defensive martial art? Many college programs already demand that students take some kind of PE classes as part of the general curriculum. Martial arts classes could be offered to fulfill these requirements.

I am not talking about the standard, 1 semester women's self defense course. I am talking about mult-level or multi-belt courses in a discipline like Jiu-jitsu or Commando-style Krav Maga. Krav students are taught how to disarm attackers armed with guns and knives. The ability is limited, yes, but perhaps better than nothing.

Ideally, a teacher would not be licensed without reaching a set skill level. Provision would be made for teachers physically unable to take the classes.

Parents, what are your thoughts about having teachers trained in defensive martial arts?

[cynatnite]

1. Against someone carrying a gun? n/t

[Bandit]

14. What makes you think teachers would want to assume police duties?

If they wanted to be police, I am sure they would become police.. I think the very last thing any teacher would want is to have to act like a police officer and to kill or injure someone. They chose a gentle profession for good reason and it had nothing to do with packing heat and shooting anyone...They are not in the business of teaching children because they harbor a desire to kill people... Guns have only two purposes, too kill and to train for killing..

[cynatnite]

15. I don't think that...

You're preaching to the choir. Settle down.

[Melatonin]

2. Too crazy.

So anyone disabled, too old, etc aren't allowed to be teachers because they can't fight?

No.

[JoDog]

6. My OP

Addressed this. Of course exemptions would be allowed.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Teachers have enough to do without this added burden

I think there need to be police officers assigned to schools, like there were some years ago before school districts ran out of funds.

I also think we need a total ban on assault weapons.

[JoDog]

10. No doubt

Assault weapons must be banned. A basic background check also must be required for ALL gun ownership.

Illinois does this with its FOID program. Even buyers at gun shows must have a FOID, thus must have had a background check. There also are waiting periods for all guns.

[a geek named Bob]

4. Martial arts are great, against non-ranged weapons

Against somebody 6+ feet away, the martial artist is dead.

[JoDog]

7. Agreed

But my hope is that something is better than nothing.

[a geek named Bob]

8. I like the idea of a two pulse RF energy field

The first pulse rapidly shifts in frequency until the gun barrels start heating. The second pulse is on the reactive frequency, and warped/swells the barrel.

Instant useless firearm.

Use this if you want... If it saves kids, Ill buy the beer. If it makes money, I want some.

[JoDog]

11. If you can build the hardware

I'll write the advertising copy and packaging inserts. But no money; we give it away to help the kids or no deal.

[a geek named Bob]

12. Done.

I'm meeting with some New Haven Makers tomorrow night. We'll discuss building it.

The hard part will be getting funding for the parts. We may have to settle for building a few, and then running build workshops.

[a geek named Bob]

13. I forgot to add...

Can I get a burger and a beer, for building these?

That's my payment request. (Burger can be veggie. Beer should be anything but Budweiser.)

[reteachinwi]

5. defense training

I am a retired teacher. I had some martial arts training. Many teachers are military vets, current members of a reserve unit, former law enforcement officers, college athletes, etc. I understand what you are proposing but I think you have a misconception of who teachers are. Do we really want defensive training to be a professional requirement of the people who staff schools? Shouldn't we have the will to guarantee that schools will be safe for kids and the staff who care for their development? Are we going to admit that facing down gunmen in schools is part of a teacher's job description? Is this what the President meant by doing better?

[JoDog]

9. You are absolutely right

First off, thank you for being a teacher. I owe anything I become in life to the great people who taught in the public school system in the small town where I grew up. They can't get enough respect and love.

I don't want defensive training to be a professional requirement of teachers. This is not a part of the teacher's job description. It is not what the President meant by doing better.

However, sometimes there is a gap between the world we have and what we want it to be. What I want is one thing; what may be needed is another. No matter what changes are made in the wake of the Newtown massacre (and I hope there are many), there will be a bridge period before we see the direct results.

While martial arts cannot defend against a range weapon, it may prevent dozens of other smaller tragedies that happen in American schools every day.

Changing our gun laws and improving mental health treatment is going to take time. I think it is worthwhile to consider other options to improve school security while that fight goes on. It is the pressure applied to a bleeding wound while the patient is rushed to a hospital for surgery.