In two years I will be a teacher in one of our nation’s public schools. I was therefore appalled to read it is even being suggested by some that we place metal detectors randomly throughout schools and arm our school officers with guns (“ Officers discuss school violence,” SN 6/20).

I firmly believe people, including students of all ages, will behave according to how they are treated. If we treat students with caring and respect, then they will care for and respect us as teachers, administrators, school employees and police officers. If we treat them as criminals who are not in a place of learning, but a prison, then they will behave accordingly.

I would expect the amount of behavior problems, weapons problems and disrespect to rise in the presence of metal detectors and armed officers. A policy such as this would place a gap between students and the adults who are there to teach them and could only be detrimental to the learning environment.

No student should view school as a place of authoritarianism and fear, but as a place of comfort and learning. I would never want to teach in a school with policies such as those being suggested, and I would never send my children to one. Guns and metal detectors are not the answer to safer schools or safer communities. They are only a reaction to a problem rather than a means of prevention.

If we really want to solve the problem of violence in America’s schools then we will work harder to discover why children are acting out in violent ways. If we can solve this problem, we will have no need for metal detectors and armed school officers.

Sarah Shaver
English, biology and secondary education senior