I’ve Been Teaching for 15 years. I’ve Never Been Afraid in the Classroom — Until Now.

I walk into a lecture hall that seats nearly a thousand students and do something I never used to do: I look for shadows in the corners. It’s the first day of class, and there are 971 students enrolled. The room rises in tiers, balconies fading into darkness. I scan the space, trying to see faces, and checking for my blind spots. Concealed carry is legal in Wisconsin, but getting shot at isn’t my greatest fear.