There's an expression I've heard a few times over the last few years that goes something like "You think it'll never happen to you, until it does." That expression in recent years, has been tied to school and mass shootings across the United States. I was one of those people, who never thought it would happen to someone like me. I was four years old on 4/20/1999, and I believe most people thought Columbine would be the first and last major tragedy to hit the United States like this. 

I recently read that since Columbine, there have been 400 school shootings, with almost half a million students in grades K-12 exposed to gun violence. I am a native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, considered to be one of the "safest" areas in the state of Colorado, and in the country. It could never happen to us, right? 

Right? 

On May 7th, 2019, at STEM School Highlands Ranch, two student gunmen entered into the building and opened fire in their English classroom. Just one student passed away-Kendrick Castillo. He is no longer with us, because he stopped the shooters, allowing his classmates time to escape. Two other students eventually subdued the gunman. I created a petition at that time, hoping to honor Kendrick, Josh and Brendan with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. The same award given to Dave Sanders for his heroic actions at the time of the Columbine Shooting. The petition has amassed 76,600 signatures from 187 countries around the world. It's pretty clear that people are able to put aside their differences and come together for a common cause. 

There is only one thing that will end this unacceptable epidemic, and it is addressing students in crisis-early, and as often as needed. Schools cannot diagnose mental health issues, as those can only be determined by a licensed medical professional or psychologist, outside of a school setting, but we can do our part in providing resources and support to help students manage their emotions, take part in conflict resolution, and open the door to a successful and happy adulthood. 

As a teacher who cares very much about the students in her classroom, and across the United States, I am petitioning that social emotional curriculum is mandated in public schools across the United States. As it stands today, we have just 15 states where this is required by law. Over 20 states have not yet addressed this, and the remaining 16 have it just encouraged. Social Emotional Learning curriculum provides the opportunity for students, appropriate to their age level, to find ways to manage their emotions, advocate for themselves, learn how to cope with failures and setbacks, and form connections that they can put into practice in other areas of their lives. 

And most importantly, it allows teachers and other school personnel to reach students in times of crisis. 

It's time for this epidemic to end. And it begins with reaching those students in times of crisis. Please take the moment to sign my petition.