Fear and Education

Understandably, I know that many students as well as teachers are fearful of the classroom. A teacher is fearful of how effective they are to their students, as well as the fear that they are indeed teaching something of value. The students, on the other hand, are scared of what the teacher thinks of them and of learning.
I think it's sad that everyone is so fearful of gaining knowledge. The fact is, is that society indeed has many things that are a bit scary. Though I know a few people posted about this already, I'm sure some of us still think back to all the shootings and violence that happened last week. I am not necessarily scared as to what my fate will be, but indeed scared of what society has become. What are we turning into, and what are we teaching in both the homes and schools that makes people think that what they are doing is ok?