Education

School Shooting Survivor: “I Choose to Be Happy”

By Mary Ann Zehr — February 09, 2009 1 min read
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A newsletter published by the Kentucky Department of Education for teachers recommends a book written by a school shooting survivor for the reading list of middle and high school students. The book, I Choose to Be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph Over Tragedy, is written by Missy Jenkins, now 27, who was one of eight student in a prayer circle at Heath High School in Paducah, Ky, shot by a 14-year-old student, Michael Carneal. Three students were killed. Jenkins was paralyzed from the chest down.

Her message is that bullying, even in its mildest form, can have ramifications, according to a review of the book on page 9 of the newsletter. Also, she urges educators and others to get help for students who feel that violence is an option.

A version of this news article first appeared in the Curriculum Matters blog.