Instead of Guns, Teachers Want the Government to #ArmMeWith Resources

Olivia Bahou
Updated
Instead of Guns, Teachers Want the Government to #ArmMeWith Resources

In the wake of the fatal school shooting in Parkland, Fla., President Trump proposed a controversial way to prevent future school shootings: arming teachers with guns.

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The president’s views are backed by several Republican senators and, unsurprisingly, the NRA. But many are against the idea of making schools safer by adding more weapons into them. Among the groups who are not in favor of putting more guns in schools are those who would supposedly be wielding them: the teachers. Many educators are fighting back and sharing the resources they’d rather be equipped with by using #ArmMeWith.

Teachers Olivia Bertels and Brittany Wheaton started the movement and sharing what they’d rather be armed with instead of guns to best protect and support their students. "#ArmMeWith the resources and funding needed to help students experiencing mental health issues,” Wheaton wrote. “We NEED stronger gun laws, we NEED funding for mental health issues, we NEED our students to L I V E so they can change the future of this country,” she continued in the caption.

#armmewith the resources and funding needed to help students experiencing mental health issues, NOT guns. Teachers, now (more than ever) is the time to take and stand and say we will not accept another one of our students being lost to another senseless school shooting. We have to strive for MORE. Our students deserve it. Call, write, march... do whatever you can to show enough is enough— we NEED stronger gun laws, we NEED funding for mental health issues, we NEED our students to L I V E so they can change the future of this country. #resist #standup #guncontrol #enoughisenough #notonemore #gunsafety #schoolsafety #mentalhealth #teachertribe #iteachtoo #teachersmatter

A post shared by Brittany Wheaton (@thesuperheroteacher) on Feb 20, 2018 at 3:59pm PST

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“#ArmMeWith school supplies. Literally. I should not be single-handedly keeping Target in business,” Bertels wrote, drawing attention to another area in which schools need funding and resources.

R E A L • W O R L D • S O L U T I O N S • my friend @thesuperheroteacher and I think that we should find more practical solutions than giving teachers guns. I hope you’ll take the same stance and read the explanation on my stories as to why. Join us. #armmewith

A post shared by Olivia Bertels (@missbertels_) on Feb 20, 2018 at 5:58pm PST

Teachers joined in on the movement in droves, requesting books, smaller class sizes, social workers, mental health professions, and gun laws—not guns.

The day teachers are asked to carry guns in the classroom is the day I leave my dream job I’ve had since I was 16 years old. I don’t want to take away guns. I want control on them. Mandatory safety courses, thorough background checks, limit purchases of fire arms at one time, licenses and permits. There’s NO NEED FOR A 19 YEAR OLD TO HAVE AN AR-15. #armmewith #enoughisenough #schoolsafetynow #notonemore

A post shared by Lindsey Paull (@missjohnstonsjourney) on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:01pm PST

Can we just all agree that SEL and character education are just as important, if not more, as teaching our core content subjects? Teaching our students to be genuinely GOOD, CARING PEOPLE is the most important thing we can teach them. #armmewith #jointhemovement

A post shared by Brittney Root (@miss5th) on Feb 20, 2018 at 6:03pm PST

This is a movement that I can 100% get on board with. If you’ve heard me talk about my class size the last couple years, you will not be surprised that this is one of my hot button issues. In the mind of children, negative attention is still attention, and I believe that as we raise class sizes, overload teachers, and cut support, we will continue to see major behavioral, social, and emotional issues rise to unparalleled levels. I think that reaching out to educators about ways that we can be PROactive, not reactive, in the education world to reduce violence of any kind is absolutely one of the best places to start making a change! . . . . . #ArmMeWith #RealTalk #IssuesInEducation #iTeach2nd #iTeach3rd #TeacherLife #TeachersOfInstagram #TeacherCommunity #TargetTeachers

A post shared by Kelly Bates (@buildingbrilliance) on Feb 20, 2018 at 5:58pm PST

We, the teachers, have a few ideas.

A post shared by Matt (@digitaldivideconquer) on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:39pm PST

Enough is enough! These are NOT stand alone issues and ALL must be addressed. I am sick and tired of having to put on a brave face and discuss what to do in the event of an intruder. I‘m sick and tired of having to ask 7 and 8 year olds to practice hiding in a corner or throwing chairs. I’m sick and tired of having to promise my own children that we will all be safe as I put them on the bus to their school and leave for mine. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. It’s time for action. #armmewith

A post shared by whits2012 (@whits2012) on Feb 22, 2018 at 7:07am PST

We barely have enough desks and expo markers. Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. There are some days in which I am so stressed that I feel like I am going to break in half, and you want me to have to handle a gun, and have it around 6th & 7th graders? No. This is not the solution. #armmewith what I need in order educate, nothing else. ?????????????? #teacher #teachersofinstagram #tpt #teacherlife #teacherstyle #teacherootd #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo #teacherspayteachers #teacherbae #teachers #teachersday #teachersofig #educator #educatorsrock #teacherfashion #teacherswag #teacherhumor #classroom #teacherproblems #teacherlove #teach #teaching #teachergram #teacherstuff #6thgradeteacher #teacherappreciation #teachersoftpt #igteachers

A post shared by Deanna Dellia (@deannadellia) on Feb 22, 2018 at 6:35am PST

Something has to be changed to protect our student's & teachers. The recent shootings is just to much. #armmewith

A post shared by Marcy's Mayhem (@marcys_mayhem) on Feb 22, 2018 at 6:42am PST

Use #ArmMeWith to join the movement.