Think about your teaching this past week and then answer the following question: "What was the event that most took me by surprise - an event where I saw or did something that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
In the past week I was caught off guard and SHOCKED completely! Officer Cannon and I took the time to set up evidence collection scenarios in the woods at the high school for the students to get out of the classroom, have fun and learn an important part of Law Enforcement. We set up three scenes with five different pieces of evidence.
At the beginning of third block, I took my group to the woods where I was told by my first volunteer "Officer Gravitt, I can only find four things." Of course I replied "look harder!" I then entered the woods to find someone had stole some of my evidence. That particular item was a fake pistol. At first I was mad but in an instance I became very disappointed and concerned.
I was disappointed that one of my students would disrespect me and our program. I then became very concerned. I could not stop thinking of the shooting I was involved in several years ago where a 16 kids lost his life after making a horrible decision with a gun. Though I am still struggling with the theft I have chosen to let it go. I expressed my concerns to my student and advised them who ever took the gun to please not make a bad decision with it. Though they don't care, they at least know where I am coming from and that I don't want another Officer or Citizen to have to defend their self in an instance because one of them make a STUPID decision.
I am looking at the bright side in that I hope during my conversation with the class I may have detoured one of them from making a fatal decision.
Stay SAFE!
AG
2 comments:
Hello Adam,
This is very disappointing to any and all teachers when a student steals from you - especially when it is an instructional item. I have had it happen and many others in NTI have had this happen over the years. I hope it does not discouage you. Try to think about all the students you are helping. You can't save them all in either teaching or law enforcement. You have our support at NTI.
I completely understand, Adam. I have had many things stolen from my program and it is a very disheartening experience. I can honestly say that the only thing you can do is to not take it personally. It's not about disrespecting you, it's about their selfish desires. To be frank with you, they aren't even thinking about you when they do such things- they are only thinking of themselves. It get's easier the more it happens. You become callused to things as a teacher just like you do as a police officer.
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