Body Counts ContinueSTOP it!

by Paul Ruez, M. Ed.

Going past the one-year mark into my retirement from teaching high school as a career tech teacher I find I have more time and flexibility to focus my advocacies which include sharing strategies and tactics which work.

With tragic body counts reported in and out of the classroom, while teaching, every day, I considered how I might respond to an active shooter. As a combat veteran I take this very seriously.

The most recent killings in California moved me to write the following which I share as a prompt to consider what strategies and tactics are working in your life, your classroom and school. I’ll share specifics as further issues of this magazine unfold.

Body Counts Continue - STOP it!

Feeling numbed by the increasing “body count” in American’s War-on-Civility?

As a US Army combat vet I am familiar with body counts. War taught me to learn, teach and practice “less bloody ways of resolving differences.” This learning curve is mission critical.

Serving as a high school teacher I integrated these skills into my state approved curriculum. Now retired, I give this curriculum to others who share this concern. This includes Conflict Resolution Skills.

Ready to reduce the number of people choosing to use guns and other forms of abuse to ‘get their way?’ How? Learn, teach and practice less hurtful behavior skills which builds bridges of understanding (not walls) between people.

Start with the person in the mirror and extend out to your family, friends, churches, schools and workplace. Replace the excuses with action and choose to resolve differences without hurting others.

Submitted by:

Paul Ruez, M.Ed. Retired high school and college teacher Former combat correspondent and photographer