Sometimes All You Can Ask Is Why?

There is a case in the news right now that has me very upset. A few days ago a school principal from Washington DC, Mr. Brian Betts, was found shot to death in his Maryland home. So far there seems to be no motive as police search madly for his killer.

You're probably asking yourself why this has me, Kelly Alexander, so upset. I don't know the man, we're not distantly related, and until his death hit the news I never even knew he existed, but here is the reason I'm upset, (apart from the fact that it is just horrible for a human being to lose their life senselessly). Mr Betts was making a HUGE difference in the lives of the children of his school. From what is being said, Shaw Middle School faces a lot of issues with children being challenged from the environments that they come from, but Brian was breaking through these problems and helping these kids to rise above their surroundings.

Brian was seen as a rising star in the D.C. school system and in the past had won an "Outstanding Teacher" award. He had been hand-picked by District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee to lead the struggling school. According to Chancellor Rhee: "Brian was an inspirational leader for the teachers and the students, and that leadership was bringing results. He knew what the children under his care were capable of, and he was determined to show them how to get there. Brian Betts' death is an incredible loss of a young and dedicated school leader."

She is totally right, and that is why it is so upsetting to find out that this amazing man who was making such an impact in children's lives has been taken away from them and his mission. My hope is that his life and work will not die in vain, that his mission will continue on and that these kids will continue to flourish.

So, my hat is off to Mr. Brian Betts, a true hero, for being such an incredible example to these kids and to people in his community. We should all take a page from his book.

Kelly