UUP psychologist and NYSUT president comment in wake of Virginia Tech Shooting

 

Narrator: The tragic Virginia Tech shooting has spurred teachers around New York to review their school's crises plan with an eye to more prevention.  President of New York's teachers' union, Richard Iannuzzi, said a culture of open dialogue between students and teachers could save lives.

 

(Click Here to hear Iannuzzi soundbite)
"Students have to understand that when they hear anything they need to share that with an adult and adults, frankly, need to understand that when something is shared with them they have to take it seriously."

 

Narrator: New York's last school shooting occurred in 2002 when a Manhattan high school (Martin Luther King) teenager snuck a gun past metal detectors and wounded two students. In 2005 there was an attempted bombing at Sweet Home high school in western New York.  The plot was foiled after students alerted teachers. Iannuzzi says Sweet Home created an open environment between students and teachers.

 

(Click Here to hear Iannuzzi soundbite)
"So often we discover there was a sign.  You know, a note or something someone threw away or another student comes forward and says 'you know he told me he was going to do this'.'"

 

Narrator: After Sweet Home school officials went to police, a 15-year-old boy was arrested at his home with several bomb-making materials. The tragic Virginia Tech shooting has spurred teachers around New York to review their school's crises plan and also think about the physiological effects on their own students.  Sharon Mitchell is a psychologist at the University at Buffalo and a member of United University Professions.

 

(Click Here to hear Mitchell soundbite)
"Since we are on a college campus I think one reaction you have is 'could something like this happen here?' You know, 'What is our preparation or response should something like this happen?'"