Rachael Lehner, a math teacher at Apalachee High School, shared her harrowing experience during a recent school shooting incident. Lehner recounted the terrifying moments when gunfire erupted in the classroom next to hers on Wednesday morning.
In a social media post, Lehner expressed her distress, stating, 'I am not okay. It started in the classroom next to mine. I lost close friends. My job is to teach math, love kids, and have fun while doing it.'
Despite following safety protocols, Lehner emphasized that the situation was far from acceptable. She commended the swift response of her colleagues and students during the crisis.
During the incident, Lehner was teaching an English class for speakers of other languages when the gunshots rang out, prompting her and her students to enter lockdown. She described the emotional turmoil faced by her diverse group of students, who came to the country seeking a better life.
'Imagine coming to a country hoping for a better life, hearing gunshots, looking at your teacher and not understanding her language. My kids of different religions and languages still managed to hold hands, pray, and love each other while terrified,' Lehner wrote.
Lehner's account sheds light on the resilience and unity displayed by the school community in the face of adversity. Despite the trauma experienced, Lehner remains steadfast in her commitment to teaching, nurturing, and protecting her students.
