Every school day more than 3 million U.S. teachers work hard to provide our next generation with the skills they’ll need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It’s never been an easy job. And it’s only become more difficult recently as teachers also must protect students – and themselves – from violence both inside and outside the classroom.
National Teacher Appreciation Day is a good time to pause and give thanks to these women and men who have shown tremendous dedication to our kids and their safety. In some communities, teachers are being asked to carry guns. Others are using creative ways to fight back if need be. In Michigan, one teacher has a box of hockey pucks to throw at attackers. Other teachers keep baseball bats behind their desks. A variety of door-locking devices are being used all over the country.*
But we owe our teachers and students more than that. They need security solutions that have been proven to work on campuses. One of the most effective “best practices” is stopping would-be troublemakers at the front door. That means keeping doors locked. Office staff can use video intercoms, such as Aiphone’s IX Series 2, to help determine which visitors should be allowed inside. Once inside, visitor management systems check people’s IDs against criminal and sex offender databases. Schools can also create their own watch lists.
That’s only the start of what security professionals can do. Security cameras, access control systems, intrusion alarms and other devices all add essential layers to help protect the people and valuable assets on each campus. A good security plan enables our teachers to focus on what they are paid to do — teach.
Let this day of appreciation not be forgotten tomorrow. Let’s dedicate ourselves to protecting teachers and students every minute of every day they are in our nation’s classrooms.
With entrance screening technology, campus-wide communication, and paging systems, Aiphone is here to help create a learning environment that places a premium on safety and security. Check out the full range of our recommended solutions for campuses and see our recent eBook, Protecting the Campus.
