The largest mass shooting in American history took place less than two weeks ago. I can tell you the body count, the name of the shooter, and how he managed to plan the attack. The media has made it clear that it was a national tragedy.

So why did my phone remind me more about the shooting than my teachers or peers did?

The day after the attack, I came to school, and I had no more than two teachers acknowledge the event for no longer than two minutes. However, I’m not blaming the school, classes, or teachers. I’m blaming America.

America has been desensitized to gun violence.

Every once in awhile, we turn on the TV or scroll through our phones to find out that there was a mass shooting somewhere in America. Our social media feeds are flooded with “thoughts & prayers” along with hourly updates and in-depth investigations from news networks.

However, none of that matters if the youth is not being properly educated about gun violence, and that starts in the classroom.

“Every student is the most valuable “possession” in someone’s life,” says U.S. History teacher Steven Groothuis. “I think schools should do whatever is necessary to promote and ensure the students return home safely each day.  And any responsible discussion about safety should certainly include gun violence.”

Our schools aren’t prioritizing what they should be. When a record-breaking mass shooting occurs, the media should not be the only source amplifying the information. Schools need to be getting the information across to their students, so they can leave school knowing that no one has the omnipotence to take innocent lives.

Heidi Cifelli, manager of the National Rifle Association’s Eddie Eagle Gun Program,

spoke out on gun education in an interview with the ABC News. “Gun education is not mandatory in any state as far as we know, but of course we think all schools should have it,” said Cifelli. “Gun education is the best way to save young lives.”

Safety should not be the first thing on a student’s mind when they walk into school. Whether it is public, charter, or private, every child deserves get an education without the concern that someone could end their life.