School chief on McNair ordeal: A day when good overwhelmed evil. | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

School chief on McNair ordeal: A day when good overwhelmed evil. | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com:

School chief on McNair ordeal: A day when good overwhelmed evil. 

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John Spink

Students from Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy are welcomed at McNair High School by DeKalb superintendent Michael Thurmond (left).

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By Maureen Downey

Michael Thurmond is interim school superintendent in DeKalb County.

By Michael Thurmond

What could have been one of our worst days was miraculously transformed into one of our best days. A day that could have borne witness to yet another senseless school rampage turned into an inspiring day that spotlighted the heroics of our school personnel, the calmness and resilience of our schoolchildren, the patience of our parents, the courage and tenacity of our police officers, and the effectiveness of our press.

Among the many lessons I have learned, the most important one is to be thankful. Thankful that our students, administrators, faculty and staff were not injured. Thankful that a wonderful lady named Antoinette Tuff took the initiative to courageously talk a deranged gunman literally to the ground. She not only saved her own life, but the lives of countless others, and quite possibly the