Wilbur “Rod” Grayson was an English teacher with the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas. Grayson was a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and was in his first year of teaching. In Grayson’s free time he was an amateur actor and was nominated for a local award for his performance in Noel Coward’s “Private Lives” at Zachary Scott Theater.
On May 18, 1978 Grayson was in his classroom sitting on a stool when a 13 year old honor student walked into the classroom with his father’s gun and fired three shots. The thirty students in the class were in shock. The student gunman was allegedly upset over an incident the previous day when a substitute teacher was present.
Grayson’s killer spent a short time in Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital and then finished public high school and went on to graduate with a law degree from the University of Texas. He is currently practicing law in Texas.
Grayson’s son was one year old when he lost his father.
To help honor Rod Grayson
National Memorial to Fallen Educators 
Thank you for including Rod Grayson, I am his widow and was not aware that this existed. My son and my grandchildren will also thank you. Laura Grayson
The Year is incorrect. It should read 1978.
Thank you for making this memorial to all the fallen educators.
He is always rembered and loved….o was a student at that time. We will never forget.
May 18th 1978 was the date I’ve read about. He has been remembered by numerous students as a great teacher and mentor.
It happened in 1978 and not in 1988 as indicated in the text.
Please correct year to 1978
Great posst thank you