A Tale of Two Teachers

First, Florida Teacher:

A Florida high school teacher was placed on administrative leave after he told students he'd "be the best school shooter" with a "1,000 person body count."

The incident took place at Lakeland Senior High School, about 45 minutes from Tampa, on August 16 during a lockdown drill, according to a Polk County risk protection order. 

 

Police interviewed 16 students about the incident. The teacher told students if he were a school shooter he'd plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs), then "fire a couple rounds and wait for everyone to hide, then press a button and boom -- everyone would die," according to student testimony. 

 

The teacher also said "he would put a bomb in the corner and put nails in it for shrapnel," another student told police...

 

When interviewed by an officer, the teacher told police he was a former US Marine and that his statements were a joke.

What's the old quote about yelling "fire!" in a crowded theater...? 

And now, New Jersey Teacher:

Petryshyn moved to Clifton, New Jersey, from Ukraine in 1997 after his family unexpectedly won a green card lottery. Then a sophomore in high school, he learned English within a year of his arrival and graduated in 2000. 

 

"We didn't have much money," he said. His parents both cleaned for a living, so it felt natural for him to take a custodial job at his American alma mater, Clifton High School, in 2001. 

 

The work paid for his bachelor's degree, he said: He'd work the night shift from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and attend classes in the morning. 

 

"It sounds like a big thing, but once you're in the routine, it just becomes part of your life," he said. "It was worth it." 

 

He graduated with an elementary school teaching certification. In 2008, he joined another Clifton public school--this time, as a fifth-grade teacher.

 

Though he loved teaching, Petryshyn noticed the difference he could make for his students and fellow teachers in a leadership position, he said. So he earned his master's degree in educational leadership in 2014, and after interning last year at School 14, he'll begin his administrative role in September. 

What a great story.  Gawd I love this country!