Unionized Teacher Heroes During Roswell, New Mexico School Shooting

*Union thugs as guardian angels  *Teacher put his life on the line, preventing further tragedy

*New Mexico School Shooting: Teacher Hailed for Persuading Suspect to Drop Gun

In Roswell, New Mexico, American Federation of Teachers territory, an eighth grade social studies teacher approached the 12 year old student, the shooter in last week's tragic shooting, and talked the boy into putting down his weapon.

From ABC News:

New Mexico School Shooting: Teacher Hailed for Persuading Suspect to Drop Gun

Officials credit John Masterson, an eighth-grade social studies teacher, with saving lives as he immediately stepped in and talked the boy into dropping his weapon. Masterson then held him until authorities arrived.

"He stood there and allowed the gun to be pointed right at him," Gov. Susana Martinez told a packed room of 1,500 or so people at a prayer vigil late Tuesday, "so there would be no more young kids hurt."

Officials also credit previous "active shooter" drills by Roswell Independent School District for preparing teachers and students, who say they were ready for what happened Tuesday morning. Students say they even thought the shooting was a surprise drill at first.

Governor Martinez called him an amazing man. 

NBC News reports:

"He is an amazing man," said Gov. Susana Martinez, who met with Masterson. "He stood there and allowed the gun to be pointed right at him so there would be no more young kids hurt."

According to an account given by Martinez, the teacher was facing away from the shooter, and the shooter away from him, when the first shot was fired. The teacher thought it was a firecracker, she said.

The teacher wheeled around and saw the young man fire more shots before he pointed the gun at Masterson, she said. The teacher talked to him and urged him to put the gun down.

The shooter put the gun down and raised his hands, and Masterson put him up against a wall, the governor said. Just then, an off-duty state police officer arrived — he was dropping his own son off at the school — and they contained the student.

The teacher and the off-duty officer, Lt. Gary Smith, drew praise from authorities for their bravery.

Then, there's the teacher that stayed by a surviving student, as ABC News reported, soothing the 13-year old girl, while she was on the phone with 911.

Teachers, putting themselves on the front-line, for the students, in New Mexico, having their own teacher evaluation struggle, New Mexico, a state which has its own opt-out movement against high-stakes tests, a state which is floating legislation to protect opt-outers.