We’re asking our unions for help. We are asking our lawmakers for help. Many of us are asking God for help.

But we feel abandoned. We feel defeated.

Tomorrow, I am to return to my classroom. The desks are still in disarray from being used as a barrier. Scissors are still lying on the floor.

We’re shoving them into the “hard corners” of our classrooms so that they’re out of the shooter’s line of sight. We’re barricading our doors with chairs and tables and desks. We’re grabbing scissors and metal bars to use as weapons. We’re comforting our children while waiting for the bullets to fly.

For years, we have seen lawmakers issue their thoughts and their prayers as if they were substantive policy aimed to protect our children from domestic terrorism.

However, the harsh reality is: Educators nationwide feel abandoned. We feel like we’re fighting for these children alone.