Carly Zacharias, a high-school Spanish teacher, has shared her strategy in the event of a potential active shooter.
In a now-viral TikTok video, the US teacher revealed how she used hockey pucks to protect her students.
The video has caused a stir online, with those living outside of the US shocked at the need for such a precaution.
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In the video, Zacharias says, 'Hi teachers, so if you're like me you've probably been doing a lot of thinking recently about your school's safety. I just had an idea and I wanna share it, so feel free to steal it.'
She then walks into her classroom, and explains, 'Here's my classroom, I have these big windows along the back wall, my kids know that plan A is always just to get out of that middle window and run across the street.'
However, Zacharias goes on to explain, 'But, of course, plan B is to barricade the door and fight, you all know this.'
Next, the teacher highlights the issue with her classroom that led to the precautionary hockey puck idea.
She explains, 'My issue here is my door, it used to be metal and now it's wooden. I can still lock it but now I have this giant window here.'
Zacharias shows viewers the door to her classroom, which features a glass window in the centre.
She then says she began thinking, 'What can I give every single student, just something to prepare themselves? I thought a hockey puck. It can really hurt you – especially 30.'
The teacher then proceeds to give a tutorial on how to stick the puck to the underneath of the desk.
Zacharias explained, 'I got smart, I got some double sided tape, some scissors and I just cut a strip of tape for every puck, put a puck under every single desk, within reach and that way kids can use them if they need them.'
She went on to add, 'Obviously it's just a deterrent, but it definitely makes us feel a little bit better.'
Of course, those outside of the US were appalled by the need for the pucks, with one teacher writing, 'From a Canadian teacher, I am so sorry that is your experience.'
Another user commented on the casual way in which the topic was approached, writing, 'The way you said 'you all know how it is' scares me. In Europe I have never had to have a way to defend myself in school.'
Unfortunately, until the US government implements more strict gun safety laws, teachers like Zacharias are left doing what they can to protect their classrooms.
