> I think it scares me a lot that I'm apparently living in a country where it's even POSSIBLE for teachers to get killed in the line of duty, let alone in large enough numbers that anybody would propose a memorial.

My thoughts exactly. Cops, firefighters, and soldiers all know the risks of their dangerous professions and are prepared. But how many teachers think of their jobs as dangerous or even life-threatening? Not many, and they shouldn't.

But if we're going to put educators in the same category as law enforcement, rescuers, and the military, for the sake of commemorating their losses, then we should also go a step farther. All of the above mentioned jobs require special training for dangerous situations. Cops, firefighters, and soldiers all have to be resourceful, quick on their feet, and able to take charge in threatening moments. Maybe teachers should also go through a "boot camp" of sorts, including martial arts lessons and CPR. Most schools have security guards, but by the time they arrive, it's too late. If teachers could act quickly to stop renegade students before any shots were fired, there wouldn't be a need for teachers' memorials.

Classrooms could be built safer too. There could be an alarm button near the chalkboard for use in the event of a shooting. Classroom desks could double as bulletproof shields when turned on their sides. And just like students participate in fire drills, they should have mandatory drills for evacuating in the event of one of these crimes. Teachers should carry pepper spray. A lot of innocent lifes could be saved this way, and having the necessary precautions in place could deter potential shooters before they even pick up a gun.

But as for the educators who have already been killed, yes. We should honor them in some way. And a memorial is a great idea.

-useless"Teachers don't just teach anymore, they gotta lay the SMACK down!"ness