When the Teacher is Ready, The Students Appear

'I'm a Hokie.' The students of VTech have boiled it down to that. And with the exception of a vocal minority who have picked at the administration, the vast majority of students is working to pull the community together and bounce back.

The media would like to do otherwise. They're trying to get the nasty part of the story out. Without even being a coverage junkie, I've seen two television outlets try to get the seamy side of the story (don't you think the administration wronged you?) - in other words, to try to expose what's wrong. The best part is, the students aren't biting. They seem to be saying 'hey, we support our administration because they are doing their best and because they are part of our community. They are us and we are them. We are coming together and healing. That includes the administration. And we are going to be known not as the place where that horrible thing happened, but as the place that showed the world the right way to bounce back.'

I hope the media either go away soon or change their tune. They did leave the Amish mass murder scene quickly, and they missed the real story. In that case, the Amish community not only forgave the shooter and his surviving family, but they invited the shooter's family to break bread with them and mourn the passing of all those involved. VTech, take that next step. You too will be leading lights in the world of an embracing community.

The old saying reads that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. In this case, the students are leading the way and are our teachers. Let's all take notice and applaud them.