"Hero Teacher" Shares His Account of NCHS Shooting
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: September 10, 2012
NORMAL - Dressed in a black t-shirt that said "Ironmen," Derrick Schonauer walked into the Unit Five district office Monday and spoke briefly to news reporters.
"I do have classes for the rest of the day, so I will not be taking questions because I need to get back to my kids," Schonauer said.
His comments began with an explanation of what led him to want to become a teacher.
"I became a teacher to influence young lives. I especially wanted to influence those that were told they can't do something or they'll never amount to anything," Schonauer said.
Then for a moment he touched on a terrifying incident at Schonauer's work that most people never experience.
But Schonauer was in the middle of it and it was only the twelfth day of his first teaching job. He teaches PE and health at Normal Community High School.
"Friday was a typical day. Woke up. Ate breakfast. Came to school. First hour. We talked about values," he recalled.
A few minutes into second hour at the school, a freshman the district said Schonauer enjoyed and student taught last year at George Evans Jr. High allegedly pulled a gun out of his backpack.
The freshman, according to witnesses, said something to the effect of, "It's my turn to teach."
Police argue the student then fired shots into the classroom ceiling and briefly held the health class hostage after a few people escaped.
Schonauer's comments about the shooting specifically were brief.
"(The) situation was scary, but after a few minutes everything kind of slowed down. Settled down," he stated.
What he is not talking about is what many people believe saved several lives at NCHS Friday.
The young teacher put his life at risk, tackled the student and held him until officers arrived.
"Instinctively we all have a fight or flight inside us, and obviously he had the right instinct going at the right time," said Unit Five Superintendent Dr. Gary Niehaus.
But don't call Schonauer a hero, or at least not to his face. He is staying very humble about the experience.
He said students who helped him deserve some credit as well.
"I was proud of the way they handled it. Not just me. The most important thing is no one got hurt. No lives were taken Friday," Schonauer said.
Now his focus, as always, is on the kids and making sure they get help healing from the horrible incident.
"Today, today is awesome. It's just awesome. We had one giant group hug and I just told the kids I loved each and every one of them," he described.
Schonauer also said he spent the weekend relaxing with family and friends.
Monday he said was "school color" day at NCHS, so lots of people are wearing orange and black to be supportive.
Schonauer called it the beginning of the healing process.
"I do have classes for the rest of the day, so I will not be taking questions because I need to get back to my kids," Schonauer said.
His comments began with an explanation of what led him to want to become a teacher.
"I became a teacher to influence young lives. I especially wanted to influence those that were told they can't do something or they'll never amount to anything," Schonauer said.
Then for a moment he touched on a terrifying incident at Schonauer's work that most people never experience.
But Schonauer was in the middle of it and it was only the twelfth day of his first teaching job. He teaches PE and health at Normal Community High School.
"Friday was a typical day. Woke up. Ate breakfast. Came to school. First hour. We talked about values," he recalled.
A few minutes into second hour at the school, a freshman the district said Schonauer enjoyed and student taught last year at George Evans Jr. High allegedly pulled a gun out of his backpack.
The freshman, according to witnesses, said something to the effect of, "It's my turn to teach."
Police argue the student then fired shots into the classroom ceiling and briefly held the health class hostage after a few people escaped.
Schonauer's comments about the shooting specifically were brief.
"(The) situation was scary, but after a few minutes everything kind of slowed down. Settled down," he stated.
What he is not talking about is what many people believe saved several lives at NCHS Friday.
The young teacher put his life at risk, tackled the student and held him until officers arrived.
"Instinctively we all have a fight or flight inside us, and obviously he had the right instinct going at the right time," said Unit Five Superintendent Dr. Gary Niehaus.
But don't call Schonauer a hero, or at least not to his face. He is staying very humble about the experience.
He said students who helped him deserve some credit as well.
"I was proud of the way they handled it. Not just me. The most important thing is no one got hurt. No lives were taken Friday," Schonauer said.
Now his focus, as always, is on the kids and making sure they get help healing from the horrible incident.
"Today, today is awesome. It's just awesome. We had one giant group hug and I just told the kids I loved each and every one of them," he described.
Schonauer also said he spent the weekend relaxing with family and friends.
Monday he said was "school color" day at NCHS, so lots of people are wearing orange and black to be supportive.
Schonauer called it the beginning of the healing process.
