Just like many of us, I am proud to be an American. I believe we are very fortunate that we can speak our voices without fear of punishment, are allowed to receive an education, have health care, can follow a religion of our choice, and much more. Clearly, I appreciate many aspects of the American life, but when is our freedom deemed too much? What costs are we willing to pay for all of this freedom?

GUN CONTROL. Why is it that Americans have incredibly easy access to carrying such a powerful and destructive tool? Despite what the Second Amendment states, it is imperative that our right to bear arms is monitored closely. This amendment was written in 1791, and laws MUST be changed along with our world changing. We need to face the fact that we do not live in a perfect country or world where everyone loves one another and there is no violence. The government and citizens need to realize that we are living in a very different time now, and drastic measures have to be taken in order to stop this horrific violence.

And so, I bring your attention to a very serious and noteworthy topic, school shootings.

As a future teacher, I should not have to choose between saving the lives of my students and myself. I should not have to worry about choosing whether to protect my students or be a parent to my children. I should not have to worry about my sister leaving the house every single day to teach her students. I should not have to worry about my family and friends mourning my death.

My parents should not have to worry about losing their children who are teachers in a classroom. No parent should have to worry about losing their child when they send them to school to learn and prepare for their future. They should not have to memorize what clothes their children are wearing when they leave in the morning out of fear that they are going to have identify them later. They should not have to fear that they will receive news that their child is dead- their innocent, beautiful, young child that they brought into this world.

No sibling should have to fear the loss of their brother or sister.

No child should fear going to school. They should not have to trade in their light-up shoes because they are scared that a shooter will find them when they illuminate. They should not have to mourn the loss of their peers.

Students and teachers deserve to feel safe inside of their school. I am being trained on how to be a teacher, not how to use a gun- and I should not have to.

No one thinks it is going to happen in their hometown until it does. No one thinks they will know someone attending a school that has a shooting. No one thinks their cousin, niece, nephew, or friend’s child will lose their life from attending school.

So, I ask you, what are we going to do to make a change and stop this?

As teachers, we need to make sure each child feels connected, supported, loved, and welcomed in the classroom. As citizens, we need to FIGHT FOR BETTER GUN CONTROL LAWS.

According to the New York Times, since the first big school shooting of Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, there have been over 240 more school shootings. Over 430 people shot. Over 130 people killed.

Let me repeat that, OVER 130 PEOPLE KILLED. OVER 560 INDIVIDUAL’S LIVES CHANGED FOREVER, not to mention the lives of families and friends.

One student or teacher shot is too many, and we are way beyond that number. The best thing we can do is FIGHT FOR A CHANGE in loving memory of those who lost their lives in a school shooting.

May anyone who lost their life in a school shooting rest in peace, and anyone who lost someone in these tragedies find comfort during this very difficult time.