As teachers we do our best to guide our students down a safe path toward a bright future. Sometimes we succeed and other times our advice falls on deaf ears. Being young means taking risks. As a child, my father always told me that his role as an adult was to minimize the impact of my decisions on my life. I didn't really understand that until I became a teachers. I'm sure I won't fully understand until I have kids of my own, and even then maybe I'll never understand.
I do know this. I've had students that have been shot, I've had students in and out of jail, I've known students that killed people and are now locked up for it. Regardless of the circumstance, as a teacher, you feel sad and you feel responsible somehow.
My heart goes out to everyone in the Seagoville community. My heart breaks for the student and his family.