Those who actually knew him said he was a nice guy, carefree, joking, fun to be around and polite. I can't decide if this is a paid promotional by the American Teachers Federation or just an NEA public service message about the value of hand-holding guidance counselors. The complexities of the issues that drive kids to shoot classmates cannot be adequately addressed by demanding a teachers' utopia that doesn't exist or suggesting that getting in touch with kids' feelings is a panacea for school violence. Eric Schwartz Meredith Maran's theory that poor public educational standards are conducive to school shootings is dangerously misinformed. I know this not only because I covered the story for the Boston Globe, but because I am an alumnus of Simon's Rock.
Violence can happen anywhere.
And the seeds are sown long before a student reaches a high-school classroom, no matter how well or poorly that classroom is staffed. Recognizing and curbing violence should not be the priority, or even the responsibility, of school staff. It should be the priority and responsibility of parents. Problem is, Maran doesn't seem to care who it is that doesn't care. Schools do house ambivalence, insofar as surviving high school necessitates a tough-skinned perseverance to simply get out.