Today is the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine school shootings in Colorado. Principal Toni Dann says teachers today work to prevent school violence by heading off trouble and keeping kids busy and involved. Dann is principal of Merrill Middle School in Des Moines. Dann says teachers can help a student develop self-control and positive attitudes. She says she does that by making kids feel involved. Listening to kids helps keep a pulse on what they’re feeling, talking about. Dann says student teachers today learn strategies for de-escalating anger and helping kids learn impulse control. She adds even the principal is likely to go into a classroom on any given school day: sit with them, really know the students, let them know they’re part of this world and make sure we use their talents. Dann says no teacher’s forgotten April 20th is the anniversary of the Columbine school shootings, but they’d like to think it will never happen here.
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