Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger, who heroically lost his life in Iowa while shielding students from an active shooter, was recently honored with his name added to the National Memorial to Fallen Educators. The memorial stands as a permanent tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives, in the line of duty, recognizing the noblest among us who dedicate their lives to educating and protecting the youth of our country.
Regrettably, the celebration of Marburger's life and his remembrance as an educator quickly faded from the news, much like his passing was overshadowed by the presidential race for the White House during the Iowa caucuses. Marburger's death was a moment that should have served as a stark illustration of how swiftly school shootings fade from our national consciousness—until the next one comes along.
His heroism and dedication deserve more than a fleeting mention; they demand a lasting acknowledgment and a commitment to addressing the violence that plagues our schools.
Like the rest of America, AFSA is all too familiar with the tragic reality of educators being killed in the line of duty. One of our own, Dawn Hochsprung, the beloved principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, was murdered while heroically protecting her students during the horrific shooting on Dec. 14, 2012. Nearly 12 years have passed since that heartbreaking day—yet disturbingly, there are still individuals who claim that the shooting never happened. This denial not only dishonors the memory of the victims, but also undermines the profound grief and trauma experienced by their families, friends and the entire community.
As educators and advocates, we must continue to honor the legacies of those we've lost by standing up against misinformation and working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. All of us nationwide must condemn the distressing reality of our schools as crime scenes and refuse to accept it as a fact of life to be endured.
America’s children deserve more than empty expressions of sympathy—they deserve an environment free from fear, where teaching and learning can flourish without constant threats to life. But since the horrific events of Columbine in 1999, most political leaders have callously overlooked the escalating crisis of school violence and continuously employed empty words like “thoughts and prayers.”
In this election year, we school leaders must insist that every voter challenge the presidential candidates by asking what they are going to do to eliminate violence in our schools. Yes, the president must take the lead on this issue, but everyone running for Congress and governor—and for state offices, city councils and school boards—needs to describe the specific actions they will take. We will accept nothing less.
It is essential to engage in profound discourse and employ serious remedies regarding youths’ access to guns, emphasizing comprehensive gun safety measures. The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, recently took some small steps in this area with resources that schools can use to communicate with parents and families about the importance of safe firearm storage. However, Congress and the president must do much more, including eliminating easy access to assault weapons.
Simultaneously, the government must enhance mental health services in schools, implement impactful bullying prevention programs, advocate for early intervention initiatives to help students and strengthen security protocols to ensure a prompt response in crisis situations. This last step was clearly defined by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in the critical incident review of the law enforcement response to the tragic shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
While nearly every elected official verbally agrees with most of these needs and remedies, their actions don’t match their words. The latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows a real decrease in mental health and policing services in schools across the country. This decrease in spending illuminates the lack of commitment of political leaders to the well-being and safety of students, educators and communities. This indifference and hypocrisy must be exposed at every opportunity if substantial change is to occur.
As I reflect on my own years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, I am haunted by the knowledge that what once was unthinkable now has become routine. It is time for educators and for all of society to stand united against the violence that threatens the very foundation of our educational institutions—and therefore our society. Only through collective action and unwavering determination can we ensure that the devasting losses of Principals Marburger and Hochsprung will not occur elsewhere—and almost instantly be forgotten.
Photo from Perry High School Facebook Page
