Teachers demonstrate compassion

The New Haven Teachers Association in Union City celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by organizing a public show of support for students at two Union City schools affected by the tragic and fatal shooting of a 14-year-old student.

After school had been let out for the holiday break in December, the boy was shot in front of Barnard-White Middle School and staggered onto campus in what police called a possible gang-related shooting. No suspects have been arrested.

To help heal their community, scores of local teachers, students, city council members, police, firefighters, parents and others greeted students after school on Jan. 18, as they left the campuses of Barnard-White and of James Logan High School for the three-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. The shooting victim attended Logan High.

“As we were preparing to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we thought this was a good way to remind our students that we care about them and are there for them,” says NHTA President Charmaine Kawaguchi. “This is a way for the community to help heal itself, and to show all of our students that we support them.”

She says students reacted warmly during the event. “Many students stopped to talk to their teachers. They had lots of smiles. It was a beautiful event.”

Teachers and many others carried signs declaring nonviolence messages such as, “We care about you! Please care about each other!” and “We have the power to stop violence in our community.”

Ten days later, New Haven teachers also took part in a community peace march through town. Their efforts will continue. The chapter will implement diversity training with members and the school district to help educators understand the ethnic tensions that have affected the town for many years.

“Seeing the community come together is great,” says Kawaguchi. “There is movement now and it’s wonderful.”

Brian Fogel (right) and fellow members of the New Haven Teachers Association remind students of their support for them in an effort to stop the cycle of violence.