Hello, my name is Amanda Mahoney, and I’m a 2nd grade teacher here at Berryville Elementary School. Due to recent budget cuts, my students have been deprived of many essential items needed for a proper educational environment, and while I’ve pleaded with the Board of Education for these things, they’ve repeatedly told me that all they can really afford to give me right now is a semi-automatic rifle, some ammo, and firearm training for classroom protection.
So the school district has given me a gun twice my size alongside a year’s supply of ammunition as well as extensive training on how to neutralize a threat. Any sort of crayons, notebooks, or calculators that the kids need, I’m on the hook for. That’s why I’m looking for donations from the public, because while my students may be protected by my yet to be tested knowledge of firearm usage, they still don’t have the money they need for lunches.
Next year, I’m hoping to petition to get the funds required for all of this stuff so that I don’t have to resort to online crowdfunding, but I’m not counting on it since I’ve been hearing rumors that next year the school is planning to shell out for body armor and helmets to give to each child to wear throughout the school day. Even if my students finish this year strong with really good grades, the school is only planning to reward them with a trip to the local firing range so that they too can be better suited to defend themselves in the classroom.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. The kids are really counting on your support. Also, if you’re local, we do have a donation bin outside the school for supplies. However, even though I’ve managed to scrounge up a few pencils and other learning materials from there, most of what’s been donated for the teachers have been used Glocks and holsters.