Opinion: This Teacher Appreciation Week, I’m reminded that fear is part of the job

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and while I appreciate the Panera gift card I received from a grateful parent, what I really want is to come to work without thinking about barricades or escape routes. I want to teach without fearing for my life. This week's shooting in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, left eight students wounded and one dead. The ripple in the news will quickly vanish; we've become so accustomed to hearing about school violence. As a teacher, it's hard to feel appreciated when thoughts and prayers are the only solutions offered for protecting teachers and students.