In response to the school shooting in Great Mills, Maryland, the presidents of the Education Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC), Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), and National Education Association (NEA) have issued the following statements:
Jill Morris, EASMC President
“We are heartbroken that gun violence in schools has now touched our community, and we pray for the full recovery of the students who were shot. Simply put, it is devastating that for the students of Great Mills, their memories of school will now include this traumatic day. We are resolved to provide all the support and comfort we can to our colleagues and neighbors in the Great Mills community while we work together towards a day when no school community ever has to experience this type of tragedy.”
Betty Weller, MSEA President
“As we learn more details from this morning’s shooting at Great Mills High School, one thing is clear: it is far past time for gun violence in our schools to end. Students and educators deserve days filled with learning and discovery, not with fear and lockdowns. We are grateful to the heroic school employees and first responders who protected students, and stand ready as a union family to support the educators, students, and community of Great Mills.”
Lily Eskelsen García, NEA President
“Our hearts are broken yet again by a senseless and tragic shooting in our nation's public schools. The NEA is steadfast in our support of the students, staff and families of Great Mills High School. We join the Maryland State Education Association and Education Association of St. Mary’s County in calling for policy changes that will end these preventable and traumatic events. Enough is enough. We all have a responsibility to create safe schools and communities. We can and must do more ensure that everyone who walks through our school is safe and free from the threat of violence."
EASMC and MSEA represent 1,500 educators—including teachers, related certified staff, and education support professionals—working in St. Mary’s County Public Schools. This includes 107 educators at Great Mills High School.
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