"Choosing Hope" by Kaitlin Roig-DeBllis is such an inspiring book about women who saved not only her own life, but the lives of her students. I received this book for Christmas from my mother, because as a future teacher she thought it would be a good read for me. Well, she was right, as an education major this book was very eye-opening, it made me realize how incredible teachers are and that they truly do so much for their children. This article is a must read as a future teacher, but you should also pick up a copy of her book from Barnes and Noble!
"Moving forward from life's darkest hours," this is exactly what Kaitlin did after the horrific events of the Sandy Hook School shooting. Her story starts off by talking about how wonderful her first-grade children are, she says how it's a gift to be working with such an amazing group of children. Teachers learn to have a powerful bond with their students, I mean they're together for a full school which is a long time. Kaitlin said that she would do anything for her children, she never wanted to let them down, and always wanted to be a role model for them. Boy, was she a role model for her children; she also became a role model for other teachers, adults and children around the world. Her story was an eye-opener for so many, a truly inspiring story.
On December 14, 2012, that's the day Kaitlin's life changed forever, along with her 15 innocent first graders. This was the day of the Sandy Hook School shooting in Connecticut. That day will be a memory that those teachers, children and parents will never be able to erase. As I read this book some of the chapters were graphic, they were hard to read without shedding a tear. Knowing that 26 innocent children and faculty were abruptly murdered makes my stomach churn. The thought of an evil man coming into a school and shooting for no reason makes me beyond upset. Those children and faculty didn't deserve to have their lives taken away like that; it's unjust and saddening.
The hardest parts to read were when Kaitlin talked about how she thought her life was about to end, how being trapped in a tiny bathroom with 15 first graders were going to be her last moments in this life. Reading that made me realize how strong of a teacher she was, she kept telling her children how much she loved them and cared for them. Truly trying her best to keep them calm and quiet, when even she was terrified of what may happen next. Teachers are truly so much more than just people who teach our children, they become the parents to those children when their real parents aren't around. Knowing that she never gave up on her children warms my heart, it gives ME hope that all teachers out there would do the selfless act she did.
Wanting to be a future teacher, I hope I can be as strong as Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis. I hope that our generation of future teachers will be as great as her. Her story makes me want to be the best possible teacher I can be. She has truly inspired me to implement safe school procedures, and to make sure that in my future classroom I have the safest room for my children. I know I can't predict the future and know when evil is coming, but having a safe classroom is key. I hope to one day be like Kaitlin; never giving up on what's important (if you read the book you'll know what I'm talking about).
Let's never forget those children and faculty who lost their lives to evil, let's keep them in our thoughts and prayers. As future teachers, let's keep our schools and children safe from evil, let's have safety plans ready to go. Rest in peace to all those we lost.
