I had to wrangle a child with a gun in the hallway.

I’m not okay and still trying to capture everything. I will update with any corrections once I receive accuracy. <br><br>I’m a teacher. Today, I was covering a class that is supposed to be with the paraprofessional, but she was short today. I was instructed to spend 10 minutes dropping off a note to each of the students who was in this class and then return to my normal teaching furniture. <br><br>I left the building mid class. I dropped the first note off, second note was with a student who was in class, so I left it with the teacher. I return to capture the second note and the teacher was out of the room and the sub was in charge. I stopped the class and explained that I needed to drop off two notes to two students here. The sub was understanding and okay with it. I then called the first student. The sub and I were now side by side. I pass the note and tell the child to get back to work. I call the second child. This child and I are now side by side. I pass the note. This child did not leave. I turn. This child had a gun to my head. Next thing I know, I hear a sub and I saying “put the gun up and put it away”. I grapple with the student who is now moving away mid hall. Gun pointed up, and the student is running to capture the teachers. I wrestle the child down, get them to capture an administrative assistant. I melt. <br><br>I look up and the assistant is gone. I run to my classroom, lock the doors, and call campus safety. I answer the person who answers, explain the situation, and pass my phone to a sub who came into the room. I melt onto my desk. I hear later that campus safety was on the way immediately. The principal was with the administrative assistant. He was with the student. The sub tells campus safety exactly where I am. I hear later that the principal was immediately made aware of where I was. I receive 0 support. No one comes to check on me. At this point, I know the situation is resolved, as I hear later the police and SRO were on campus instantly. I melt, and melt, and melt. <br><br>This situation resolved around 4. I went to meet with administration. I expressed that I’m not okay. I already have melt downs, especially after student trauma. I’m not okay. I was told that I should take time off. I tell them I can’t. I tell them I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, but I’ll try. I meet with the principal and express that I’m not okay, and that I really need support. I explain that I have a trauma response to support, so if I don’t receive support, I will melt down. I reiterate that I’m not okay. I’m told they already know how I am. I’m offered a sub for the morning. I tell them that I want it for the entirety of the day. I was told they will see, and to trust my instincts. I trust my instincts, and reach out to a department lead and have them cover the end of my day. I express that I’m really not okay. I’m told they already know. I decline the meeting with the superintendent for the next morning. I’m told that I’m never expected to share. <br><br>The next morning, I’m in a meeting with HR. I express that I’m not okay. I explain that I’m already living paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford time off. I ask if I could do remote support, capture virtual classes where they would watch a video, or move the class at home. I’m told HR is aware of the policy change coming, but she assures me it’s looking good. Next meeting I’m in, I express to the principal that I’m not okay. I reiterate that I’m not okay. I was told there may be a way for me to get paid, off campus, full time remote support so that I can answer questions without being in person. I express that I’m not okay. I ask the principal to please do this for me as I’m not okay and do not feel safe. I’m offered furniture out of the school, at the side of my house, or in my garage. I express that I’m really not okay. I’m assured they already know. I decline the meeting with the superintendent for the next morning. I’m told that I’m never expected to share. I’m then offered a meeting with the superintendent, principal, and assistant principal in two days. I decline, and agree to meet with said principal and assistant principal in two days. I express that I’m not okay and have to go home. I go home. <br><br>This has happened 5 days ago. I have still not received any update on support. The furniture was dropped off mid rental car crisis with 0 notice. I was informed that there is no school intention to pay me to remote support. I am expected to return to campus in person fully. I was informed that because I signed my contract they already knew I was in melt downs. I’m expected to go back in person to support students and receive zero support in return. I was told the student who had the gun has been expelled, and campus safety is increasing around the school. I don’t feel safe, I’m not okay with being on campus, but I have to because I’m broke. I don’t feel safe, I’m melt down after melt down, but I’m expected to go back and receive zero support. <br><br>I was wrangled to the ground. I had a gun to my head. I was expected to do nothing. I did something. I’m not okay. I’m not safe. I’m melting.<br><br>**Edit: background**. <br><br>Is what caused the student to do this? Not entirely. Not sure. This was a well liked student. They were in a higher level class. They were well liked by teachers and peers. They were not mean. They were not aggressive. They were liked. I have a background of trauma from a teacher, and it triggered me. The student with the gun had a background of trauma. It triggered them. It has been four days since this incident and they have finally left the hospital. They were in the hospital for a mental breakdown.<br><br>Mental issues are frowned upon. Mental background means your future is tainted. Mental trauma is looked down on. Mental trauma is underfunded. If this student was well liked, was liked by teachers, was loved by the school, and had a strong support system, how do we end up in this place? Why did they end up with a gun? The answer is simple. Mental trauma needs to be taken seriously. Mental support has to be available. It has to be funded. It has to be accessible. We can’t live in a society where a student can buy a gun because of trauma. <br><br>This was not a student who was bad. This was not a student who was mean. This was not a student who was evil. This was a student who was hurt. This was a student who had trauma. This student had too much access to a gun. <br><br>We can’t make this happen again. I don’t want this to happen again. I don’t want to turn a corner and have a gun pointed at me. I don’t want to wrestle a child to the ground. I can’t live in a world where we don’t talk about mental health. I can’t live in a world where mental support is frowned upon. I can’t live in a world where trauma is ignored. <br><br>U.S. mental trauma is your problem. U.S. trauma is your problem. We can’t ignore it. Mental trauma is your problem now.<br><br>Edit 2: I am already teaching. I am already on campus. I am too broke to afford to take time off. I am too scared to go. I am too dedicated to leave. I am too scared for my kids to not go. I am too broke to get out of this and too scared to be away.