Thumbs up to FASTER Teacher Training

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I had the opportunity to participate in a training program for the school setting put on by Tactical Defense Institute, Buckeye Firearms Foundation and FASTER Utah. The training provided coaching and practice in defensive pistol skills, engaging mass killers and other threats, and first-response medical (and they even provided us with quality first-response kits). We learned from instruction, scenarios, mistakes and practice. It also gave me the opportunity to practice shooting skills I can't always at the public range: shooting from the draw and while moving. In the 800 or so rounds I sent down range, all in structured drills, I was able to recognize some bad habits and diagnose some problems with one of my carry pistols. At the end of the three days, we were tested with the state LEO qualification, but to pass as teachers, we were required to score 10 percent higher, which I did with some breathing room.

The instructors were all class acts: professional, knowledgeable, skilled, friendly and helpful. I think I have a much better sense of what to expect, and what to do (or not do), in a school shooting or similar event. Classroom information was worthwhile, worth review and study, The training gave me a framework and mindset for responding to an incident, and showed me the skills I need to practice and re-practice.

If you are a teacher, administrator or school personnel, check out fastersaveslives.org. If you are a potential benefactor you can donate for the trainings and teacher scholarships.
 
Good to see the 2A organizations handled themselves in a professional manner. No doubt arming teachers is a very contentious movement. Getting good training, education and support at the start of it will be good for the cause. It's great to see school districts refusing to sit by and be a potential victim.

Question for you, how did the instructors address police/sheriff coming into the school with armed teachers to prevent collateral damage (i.e. police/sheriff not knowing who is who)? What was the takeaway in how to conduct yourself as a teacher before, during and after the professionals arrive?
 
Likely the armed teacher will have responded well before the arrival of law enforcement. If the threat is over and area secured, the teacher will likely have switched to providing care, or checking, the wounded, which puts you in a visibly non aggressive posture. If the attacker is down, his gun(s) secured and he is no longer a threat, but still living, we were advised to provide care to his victims while keeping a eye on him, ready to teenage (but that still puts you in a defensive, aiding posture.) When notifying 911, likely on speaker phone, the teacher should identify amd describe himself. They advised if possible station a student at the door with hands up to call for leos, which would also serve to warn you, so you could present your hands. They firmly stated one should not have a gun in hand, if at all possible, when leos arrive. Stand (with students) away from the attacker, and not in the center of the room, with hands demonstrably up. Hopefully the teacher will have had the opportunity to describe the scene clearly, and that will have been relayed clearly by dispatch.

If you are still engaging the attacker when leos arrive, of course that's not good, but if possible shift to a non aggressive posture before they arrive, whether holstering and raising hands, or going to low ready. Identify yourself. Follow their commands, and if those are unclear, freeze until they are. Calmly identify and ask for a single command. If you are caught with a gun in hand, dont move it in any way up or toward them. Move it in line with the commands only. Hopefully its bolstered and they recognize you and see your providing aid.

Afterword, They advised respectfully saying you woukd cooperate, but after talking with a lawyer because your memory, or report, may not be clear in the adrenaline haze.

The bottom line is that having armed teachers has the chance of reducing casualties, but it puts the teacher at greater risk, if they are willing to engage.
 
I could write 20 more posts on what I learned, but I will refrain. It would still miss complications or reflect choices I would make. Check out the website. Find ways to get training and keep practicing if you carry, especially when you are responisble for the well-being of others.

But one more thing. As teachers we often encounter disruptions and conflict, sometimes physical. Many of us respond quickly, get close or in the middle, and try to resolve the issue. For me, during the scenarios, this translated into me responding too quickly. Even though we'd been taught to slice the pie, even though I knew to do so from internet- commando reading, I was bull-rushing rooms. It worked sometimes because the scenario killer, even knowing there would be a response, was intent on killing. But some of the time it made me a sitting duck. I could have, should dealt with situations by slowing down, slicing the pie, and sometimes not even entering the room. And it seems this mindset should apply to other school disruptions and fights that don't include visible firearms.

I need to practice, and more than shooting.
 
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