This week, yet another horrific tragedy happened at a school in Uvalde, Texas. For the families who lost their beautiful children, the pain they are feeling is unimaginable. For the two teachers who lost their lives, we mourn their sacrifice and service as members of our own educator community. Our nation’s teachers, including the thousands we at Teach Plus have the privilege of interacting with each day, feel less safe today than they did just 48 hours ago. This week, teachers went to work a little more fearful, not just for their own lives but for the lives of students.
And how can they feel safe today? There has been a senseless string of school massacres over the last two decades. Uvalde, coming as it did on the heels of the hateful mass shooting in Buffalo, reminds us that even our schools are not safe havens. Community after community after community has been subjected to senseless violence. We know the names of many who have died, but there are many others we do not. Here are the children and teachers who were killed.
Teachers have for a long time carried the burden of American society on their shoulders, they have been at the front lines of fighting inequities, and quite literally on the front line of fire, protecting their students. Yet, in the midst of tragedy, our teachers continue to lead and create change for students and their colleagues. They are strong, resilient, and advocates at the core. Let us honor them by continuing to uplift them and their voices—but also remind them that they are not in this alone and they should not have to be.
I’m grieving. I’m angry. I’m outraged, I want to see change. We are here for those we serve: our teachers. Alongside them, we can try to come to terms with what happened and try to find a way forward.
