June is Gun Violence Awareness Month
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. This devastating statistic demands more than thoughts, prayers, and worries; it requires an active, collective commitment from every sector of society to advocate for real, systemic action.
Centering school communities is absolutely vital to creating lasting change. Elevating the voices of those on the front lines forces those in power to confront what’s really happening in our classrooms and neighborhoods—and the fear, anxiety, and trauma it causes. Schools are the heart of the community, and their teachers and staff know kids best. Our voices must be at the forefront of the narrative to prevent tragedies and drive effective, long-term change.
On June 5th, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Teachers Unify Crisis Intervention and Support Team leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder with student advocates in Newtown, Connecticut. Sandy Hook School teacher survivors, Amy Taylor and Robin Walker, proudly spoke at the Junior Newtown Action Alliance Rally and March.
It is vital for the young leaders of this movement to see their teachers and all trusted adults showing up, speaking out, and standing with them. That is exactly what we are doing. Join us!
Save the Date: July Teachers Unify Community Monthly Meeting on 7/29 at 7pm EST
Registration link forthcoming!
Each Community Meeting supports:
Community-building
Educator agency and empowerment
Tangible, meaningful action
“Students deserve to feel safe, teachers deserve to do their jobs without fear, and parents deserve the peace of mind that their children are protected at school. I want to be part of a community that speaks up, supports one another, and pushes for real change, because safety and mental health have to be a priority, not an afterthought.” —Denise Nieto Hernandez, June’s Community Meeting guest and Teachers Unify Ambassador
We’re #StrongerTogether!
Liesl Fressola & Sydney Chaffee
Research & Public Health Corner*: A Note from Teachers Unify Research Ambassador, Dawn Myers
Connecticut recently passed House Bill 5043 (HB 5043), becoming the third state in the nation—following California and New York—to prohibit the future sale of certain semiautomatic handguns designed in ways that allow them to be easily converted into fully automatic weapons using an illegal device known as a “switch” or an auto sear.
The law was enacted amid continued concern about gun violence nationwide. Just this month, seven people died in a domestic violence-related mass shooting in Muscatine, Iowa, including members of a local school community.
From a public health perspective, prevention focuses on reducing risk before tragedy occurs. Researchers continue to study how firearm design, access, policy, and community-based interventions may reduce injury and death. While no single policy can eliminate violence, prevention-oriented approaches seek to reduce opportunities for harm and improve community safety.
*As Research Ambassador, Dawn will be providing periodic analyses and updates highlighting evidence-based policies and programs focused on harm prevention.
Spring & Summer Conferences
Teachers Unify Ambassadors have been on the road leading sessions, tabling, and connecting with educators in FL, TX, DC, and CT! If you’re attending any of these events or will be in the area, reach out—we’d love to connect!
Teachers Unify in the Press!
Teachers Unify Co-Founder, Executive Director, and survivor teacher of the Sandy Hook School tragedy, Abbey Clements, was featured in two notable publications this month.
Opinion: Why teachers need a seat at the table on school safety, Connecticut Mirror.“For too long educators have been left out of the national dialogue around gun violence even though they are on the frontlines of this crisis.”
Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education, Joseph Weisler. This conversation explores the intersection of education and gun violence prevention, which lies at the very heart of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence. Click here for a preview.
Oscar® Nominated Documentary Short, Death by Numbers, Now Streaming
This powerful film follows Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor and screenwriter Sam Fuentes as she reclaims her power, examining complex questions of trauma, justice, and collective hatred in her own words.
Death by Numbers beautifully illustrates the bond between Sam and her Holocaust Studies teacher, Ivy Schamis—a founding Teachers Unify Crisis Intervention and Support Team member—as they navigate the aftermath of unimaginable loss through mutual trust.
As proud friends of the film, Teachers Unify has screened it nationwide to highlight why educator and student voices must lead this movement.
Death by Numbers is now available to stream on Amazon and AppleTV in the USA and Canada. Take a moment to watch and support independent storytelling that amplifies unheard voices.
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