How shooting threats impact mental health at East Texas schools

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – Since the beginning of this school year, more than a dozen threats have been made against East Texas school districts, and some superintendents have said it’s taking a toll on the mental health of school staff.

THE IMPACT ON TEACHERS

It’s something no teacher wants to think about.

“When you hear these threats in surrounding communities, your mind goes to, how am I going to protect them,” said a teacher at Mineola ISD, Ashley Veach.

For Veach, the thought of a school shooting never even crossed her mind when she first started teaching 15 years ago.

“But every year, they’re adding a new training for us just to be prepared because you just never know,” she explained.

Now, Veach feels as if she has no choice but to think about what she will do if a school shooter comes into her classroom.

Superintendent of Mineola ISD Cody Mize said the number of school shootings and recent threats has caused leaders to change the way teachers prepare for the school year.

“It’s kind of a ripple effect across the country,” said Mize. “The school shooting in Georgia, that really magnified the situation, as well. A targeted act of school violence, and then you start seeing these different threats that are coming up and people are very anxious.”

Now, as faculty and staff prepare for the school year, time is taken away from planning lessons and is focused on planning to save lives.

“Stop the bleeding. How to apply a tourniquet. CPR. Good things to know. Good things to have, but things that, I wanted to teach and coach. I didn’t know that we were going to have to have this type of training,” the superintendent explained.

THE IMPACT ON DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS

Not only are lockdown drills now implemented, but other drills have changed, as well. In the past, when teachers heard a fire alarm, they were the last ones to get out of the classroom. Now, they’re the first.

“You hear the alarm for a fire drill . . . The very first thing that we’re thinking is active shooter just because of lessons learned from previous incidents,” Mize added.

Superintendent of Mount Pleasant ISD Judd Marshall is concerned about how the increase in threats across East Texas will impact the mental health of his staff.

“When you think about walking down the halls of a school, or sitting in a classroom, not knowing if some crazy person is going to come and try to shoot up the school or attack somebody, it takes a toll on everybody involved,” said Marshall. “It has become more common, and it’s disturbing.”

He says day-to-day operations are affected in local schools because of this fear, and the school counselor for Mineola ISD agrees.

“Well, it’s a disruption. I mean, for sure because they are having to look at so many different factors in a daily routine,” said school counselor Rachael Wernecke.

Wernecke said many of these teachers have their own children they worry about as well.

“So that is a burden every day, to not just be worrying about your own kids, but the 30 kids that you have in your class as well,” Wernecke explained.

THE IMPACT ON SUPERINTENDENTS

Superintendents are also dealing with a mental battle, as they navigate how to handle each threat.

This is especially true because of the non-credible threats that have been circling around.

“What can you share out? Hey, it’s an active law enforcement situation, as well. They’re looking into stuff. I can’t share stuff from that investigation, and so you’re navigating a lot of tight waters,” said Mize.

While superintendents want to be as transparent with their school families as possible, there are some things they aren’t allowed to discuss right away.

THE IMPACT ON THE TEACHER SHORTAGE

In the middle of these struggles, schools are being impacted by a national teacher shortage. As school leaders are already having a difficult time filling positions, Mize said he is concerned this could be swaying some people away from working in education.

While Vernon agrees with Mize that this is a factor in the shortage, she said those who have a desire to work in education shouldn’t be afraid because administration helps teachers be prepared.

Still, staff members like Vernon just want their students safe, and they’re willing to put their mental health on the line to make sure that happens.

“Over the course of a year, you get to know these kids, and you do, you treat them like your own,” said Vernon.

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