Teachers learn to take safety into their own hands
Bob Renzi stands in the middle of the wrestling room at Connellsville Junior High West, facing a man with a gun. In actuality, this innocent man stands in for a real would-be attacker who could easily harm – even kill – Renzi. It looks like Renzi is in a situation with no way out. But Renzi fights back.
“Rotate,’ Renzi informs a roomful of teachers who are watching his every move. “Don’t move your feet. Just rotate. You want the gun on your arm.’
In a few quick moves, Renzi turns so his right arm is against the gun and he pushes it away. But before the attacker could possibly regroup, Renzi uses his right elbow to give a couple of quick thrusts towards the attacker’s throat.
If this were a real situation, Renzi would have given his all to the thrusts and quickly put his attacker out of commission long enough for Renzi to make his escape.
“You’d be surprised at what you can do if you have the mindset,’ Renzi informs the group.
This exercise is a controlled situation in a class for teachers called “Protecting Students and Teachers from Violence,’ which is offered by Renzi through Intermediate Units 1 and 7. It is a 30-hour, two-credit course that meets teacher requirements for continuing education. Teachers can take the class twice a week for five weeks or six hours a day for one week.
Teachers learn such fundamentals as their mere presence in school hallways can be a deterrent against violence and what to do if an actual attack would happen. Renzi noted his techniques can also be applied to a teacher’s personal life.
“It’s very helpful,’ said Gina Lawrence of Perryopolis, who works at Child Alert in McClellandtown. “If the situation would arise, we would know how to defend ourselves. When I first came, I didn’t know what to expect. Now, we have a feeling of confidence that if someone would come after you, you would know what to do.’
A chemistry teacher at Connellsville Area High School and a former coach, Renzi is also a certified instructor for a national organization called American Combatives. Vietnam veteran John Kary of West Virginia heads the organization, resurrecting World War II hand-to-hand techniques.
“Most were discontinued because they were too violent for everyday civilian use,’ Renzi said in an interview before class. “If someone robbed you, he took your money, gave your wallet back and left. Now they take your money, wallet, credit cards and probably do some damage.’
Kary brought back these self-defense techniques because “people needed something useful to ward off violent attacks,’ Renzi explained.
This particular class consists of teachers from throughout the region, including Connellsville, Laurel Highlands, Uniontown, Turkeyfoot, Frazier, Canon-McMillan and the Intermediate Unit. The students include Mike Smith of Brownsville who teaches at Laurel Highlands High School with Chad Miller of Uniontown.
“I wanted to take it because I needed the credits, but we really look forward to it,’ said Smith. “We talk about it every week. You learn something that could save your life.’
Miller said, “It’s amazing how you can use gross motor skills to defend yourself. To a degree, it doesn’t matter what size you are. There’s vital areas that get you out of a situation so you can escape. In a life-threatening situation, you try to get out of it. You’re not looking for a knock out. You’re looking to save your life.’
Renzi uses classroom lectures and demonstrations for this class, which is also available under different names to different groups. For example, Renzi offers a class called “Co-ed Safe” for teenage girls and young women.
“Parents give their children singing lessons, piano, dancing lessons – isn’t it worth giving them training to protect themselves?’ Renzi asked.
He added, “Teenage girls are the most victimized segment of our population and the least likely to report a crime. Girls 16 to 24 are most likely to be victims of sexual assault.’
American Combatives also provides training for airline security and law enforcement officials. A brochure for American Combatives reveals that programs are available for both large and small groups in seminars and workshops as well as one-on-one training. Training includes how to deliver basic strikes against an attacker as well as how to ward off a variety of attacks, such as those with a knife or gun, multiple attackers, an attack on the ground or from a chair or car seat.
Renzi explained, “There are things you can do to fight back. We always use the element of surprise. Attackers look for easy targets: women, children, older people, because they want the least resistance but anybody can fight back.’
Participants learn to attack vital body parts on their attackers: eyes, neck, groin and shins.
“That stops most attackers irregardless of size,’ said Renzi. “You can’t toughen someone’s throat or eyes.’
Renzi also makes use of techniques by security expert Gavin DeBecker of California, who has written the book “The Gift of Fear,’ which teaches people to be aware of dangerous situations and how to react to them.
Renzi further credits Don Witt, a teacher in the Connellsville Area School District and a former participant in his class, as a great help.
“It’s impossible for one pair of eyes to watch the many things that the class of 14 to 16 people will be doing,’ said Renzi. “His presence is very helpful to all.’
Renzi became interested in self-defense through two friends, Bill Sparrow and Greg Pastors, who practiced martial arts for exercise. Renzi learned about Kary through a fitness magazine and contacted him, eventually becoming trained as an instructor.
Before this particular class is over, Renzi has his students learning to ward off both gun and knife attacks. The participants practice with a set of four dummies as well as with each other. Even the smallest person is able to accomplish such techniques.
“Bernadette Packroni of Masontown said, “I’m enjoying it. There’s a lot to learn. I’m surprised. I never thought of having to use this before. You take things for granted most of the time. I might not remember everything, but I will remember some of the techniques.’
Erin Premos of Greensburg teaches at Connellsville Area High School and is taking the course with her husband, Michael, who teaches at Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School.
“I think it’s a good class,’ said Mrs. Premos. “It could help save your life if you’re ever put in that situation.’
Renzi recommends teachers who are interested in his classes contact their Intermediate Unit. Others may visit the American Combatives Web site at www.americancombatives.com.