School Lockdown Advice

My wife’s school was just in a lockdown. No joke …

This morning, I received an automated message telling me that there had been a lockdown at the high school where my wife teaches. The sheriffs took over the campus, and eventually … subdued the aggressor.

All safe.

The way my wife acted was admirable.

Would you be so calm, cool, and collected?

Today, I’d like to give you my opinion of acting in emergency situations, when you are with a group. (During my career as a teacher, it happened to me on several occasions — enough to have formed some strong opinions.)

So, let’s talk about how you’d act during a lockdown … the mindset of a martial artist?

Keith

Lockdown Advice for The Teacher

by Keith Pascal

Let’s start with this counterintuitive piece of advice:

1. There have been a few occasions where it was best NOT to adopt a “take-charge” attitude during an emergency. (I thought I’d start with controversy.)

I realize that common advice is to put on a strong, confident image as the teacher. Well, I can think of two occasions, at least, when it might not be best for you to jump into the role as a “strong” leader:

a) When there is more than one leader. If you have several teachers, or more than one adult with a bunch of kids, then you need to see how the other leaders are reacting and responding.  I have found that sometimes a stressed person needs to take on the role of a leader, to survive mentally and not panic. If I sense this, then I help facilitate the job; I will help the leader to “be a leader.” (I don’t need to be the center of attention, no matter what my daughter thinks.)

b) On a few occasions, I have seen some students panic. The way to lessen the panic or the feeling of nerves is to give them “actual” leadership roles. (They can sense fabricated jobs that aren’t really important a mile away. Really have them lead something worthwhile.)

Let’s assume that “you” have to be the leader in a panic situation….

2. Keep your charges safe. You know it; this is the obvious priority goal, right?

Do your duty. In Kate’s case, this morning, it meant closing the drapes and blinds, locking the door, and getting all of the kids huddled into a corner, I assume, out of the line of gun shots.

3. Calm confidence is best. You don’t need to bark … unless you are speaking to a panic-stricken individual, as an attention getter.

Exude a calm, subtly reassuring, attitude. Too much reassurance has the exact opposite effect than you’d expect. You’d panic the students, if you were constantly telling them that everything will be alright.

(After the shutdown was called off, three students complimented my wife and how relaxed she made everyone feel. They thanked her for helping to calm their nerves.)

4. Should you cancel all activity, continue with regular work, create special games, or huddle and talk?

Most experts advise trying to give normalcy to the students. Run business as usual.

I think this is partly worthy advice and at the same time a bit idiotic.

Each situation is different — so is the class dynamic.

You need to “read” the students. At some point, give them some of the same routine … use it as a calming force, and use the excuse that you do need to push forward in the learning.

Note: Kate had the students bring their assignments to the corner of the classroom.

As you work through the assignment with your pupils, continue observing them. Is the normal routine working?

Should you stop and have a heart-to-heart talk with them instead?

Do you know a magic trick or do you have some novelty to take their minds off the threat outside?

Mix and match your activity based on student tone. You can even lead them down the path to a calmer attitude by matching and leading, and then gently leading a little, and seeing if they adapt.

5. The waiting always seems to be the worst part of a closed-campus emergency. You don’t know what’s going on outside. You don’t know how close the danger is to your classroom. And you have to be quiet, to boot.

Do you have treats in your teacher’s desk? It’s time to get them out and share with the kids.

Note: Once, a full tub of red licorice made me Mr. Popular. And when a few kids jokingly complained that “red” wasn’t real licorice … I agreed, and pulled out a few packages of black, imported licorice from Australia. Yum … and it took our minds off what was going on in the courtyard. We feasted on candy and bottled water.

6. Avoid being the hero. If you have been told to stay in a locked classroom with your students, then stay in the room with the boys and girls. Don’t boldly go where no …

You get the idea.  Main goal = keep everyone safe.

Lockdowns can happen in banks, in schools, because of criminal threats, because of earthquakes and other natural threats, as well as a host of other reasons.

Each situation may require different actions, but almost all actions should be the result of your prudent attitude.

Don’t be jerky confident.

Don’t panic (in front of your students).

Don’t forget anyone … all students need some sort of contact and attention during a stressful emergency.

Do … be the calm, cool, and collected martial-arts master that I know is in you,

Keith

PS I can help you be calm and cool … Take a look …

If you don’t know how to exhibit a calm attitude during an emergency, especially a school lockdown, then you absolutely have to have the advice and how-to instructions found here:

http://kerwinbenson.com/martial_arts_books/eliminate-fear-of-fighting/

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Tags: keep students safe, lock-down advice, school lockdown, teacher advice