Connecticut: On a building in the Newtown, where 20 children and six others were killed in a school shooting incident, a spray-painted sign hanging with four words, “Hug a teacher today”.
The teachers lost their lives when a gunman broke into Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire. They jumped into the situation and hid students in closets and bathrooms, and even threw themselves in the line of fire.
Their selfless and heroic sacrifice was praised highly by most teachers as they vowed they would do exactly the same if they ever came face to face with a gunman in the classroom.
Many teachers of the unfortunate school got extra thanks from parents and students for their role of securing children during the massacre.
That gratitude for teachers is a relief from recent years in which politicians and the public have viewed them as anything but heroes. Teachers have been the focus of increased scrutiny and criticism for the perception of having generous, unnecessary benefits and job security.
While teachers in the US saw their responsibilities increased and their salaries remained relatively flat over the last two decades at about $55,000 after adjustment for inflation. The salaries for starting teachers were usually lower.
Whether the courageous actions in Newtown lead to anything more than a temporary shift in the tone of how the nation talks about teachers remains to be seen. But for the moment, teachers are grateful.
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