LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) -- Teachers at Columbine High School feel it's time their story is heard.
"It's been interesting for us as professionals knowing what had happened to see so many other groups publicly recognized for their contributions and we never have," said biology teacher Bev Williams.The teachers have enlisted the help of retired Columbine librarian Mary Swanson, a published author, to compile their recollections of last year's massacre by two students. She has started recording the stories of at least 20 teachers and is looking for a publisher.
"My feeling was if there's a book that's going to be written, I don't want it sensationalized," said Williams, who taught at Columbine for 22 years. "I just want to share with other people what teachers do when they're in a situation where their children are in danger.
"Although the event was extraordinary, what we did wasn't."
School district officials expect up to 100,000 people to visit Columbine to mark the April 20 anniversary of the day Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold stormed the school, killing 12 students and teacher Dave Sanders before committing suicide.
When the rampage began, some teachers herded their charges to safety. Science teachers pushed lab tables against windows to deflect bullets, barricaded classroom doors and tried to calm terrified teens.
Chemistry teacher Theresa Miller ran through the science department warning people. She used a fire extinguisher to put out a small blaze ignited by a Molotov cocktail.
"Theresa did something extraordinary," said biology teacher Cappi Wyatt. "She's our living hero."