People don’t usually think of teachers as first responders, but that is exactly what they are. Whether it is physical assault, social aggression, emotional trauma or cognitive battering, educators are there to protect and defend our nation’s children each day.
Many thanks to the Sandy Hook administrators, faculty and staff who so clearly demonstrated how committed educators are to serving as parentis in loco, selflessly putting the needs, safety and precious lives of children before their own.
Bless them, the children, and all of the families affected by such senseless tragedy.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Teachers all over the world are a large, loving family. There’s an unspoken sense of intense closeness we feel collectively when horrific events happen to our students or to one of our own. These thoughts prompted me to write to the students in my pre-service special education class of education majors. I want them to internalize the pure impulses of our fallen colleagues that defy the shallow reformy notion of competition and creative destruction. Truly educating them is not about increasing test scores or “merit” pay but empowering them to stand up to those who tie success to dollars. We must teach children to deal with the powerful edu-dilettantes who tie fear, threats, and meaningless stats to education policy or we will lose a generation of potential teacher- heros.
Hi Students,
I don’t have the words to express how deeply saddened I am about the terrible tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Fri. If you learn nothing else from our class, I hope you realize the immense courage and commitment it takes to teach all children in our public schools. Every day that you walk into your classroom you become the first protector and nurturer for your students. The principal and teachers who died in that horrible rampage exemplify the pure soul of great educators unmotivated by money, power, and prestige. No one is talking about their VAM scores today. I’ve attached a link to a teacher blogger from NJ who eloquently writes about his pride in choosing the teaching profession:
http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2012/12/proud-to-teach.html
Remember: Teaching is not rocket science. It’s HARDER than rocket science.