Teacher discusses student, teacher bond | News

DECATUR, AL (WAFF)- After a teacher risked her life to save her students in Connecticut, a teacher in Decatur shared the strong bond between teacher and students.

Teaching 18 kindergartners at Walter Jackson Elementary in Decatur isn't just a job for Jo Alfano, it's her passion.

"We do everything from dry tears, bandage knees, we wipe noses and zip up coats and tie shoes and all while we are doing this, we are making sure the children get the learning that they need," Alfano said. 

Her students are between the ages of five and six.  She said those early years make for a close connection.

"We get them early, so the bond is so clear," she said

It's the bond between teacher and students that perhaps lead 27-year-old Victoria Soto to risk her life to protect her students last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary.

"When I think of the heroics of the 1st grade teacher who put her life on the line for her students, well, that's something we would all want to do for our children," Alfano said.  "Her ultimate sacrifice raised awareness of the responsibilities and the roles teachers play in their students' lives."

The protection of the students is always on a teacher's mind, according to Alfano, but the senseless shooting in Connecticut took that instinct to a higher level - an instinct that led to an act of selflessness that left the world with one less educator. 

"She gave the ultimate sacrifice - her own life - to protect her students, what more can you ask for from a teacher?" Alfano said.

She said that the staff at Walter Jackson is adamant about practicing their safety drills. They have one for tornados and lockdown situations: during those lockdown drills, they do have safe places to hide.

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