Dear John —

A school is a complex, beautiful ecosystem. It is held together by more than just textbooks and lesson plans; it is held together by a shared promise that when a child enters those doors, they are safe. This promise is kept by every member of the school family: custodians, administrators, support staff, teachers, school psychologists, and many others. 

But right now, the promise of a sanctuary is being tested. 

When children and their families are taken from the arms of their community, the ripples of trauma don’t stop at the classroom door. They are felt by the bus driver who sees an empty seat, the cafeteria worker who realizes a tray isn’t needed, and the staff who must find the words to explain the unexplainable to classmates. 

Whether the threat is an armed intruder or armed, masked agents that tear families apart, the burden of protection falls on the shoulders of people who signed up to nurture, not to act as a human shield. 

Teachers Unify stands with the entire school community. We are fighting to ensure that schools remain sacred spaces where curiosity can thrive without the shadow of fear. We are advocating for policies that respect the boundaries of our campuses and the dignity of every adult who works within them. 

When we protect the school, we aren’t just protecting a building. We are protecting the people who make it a home. 

In solidarity, 

Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence