Teachers Unify Statement on Tragic Virginia State University Shooting
RICHMOND, VA – Abbey Clements, survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook School tragedy, executive director and co-founder of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, released the following statement following media reports that five students were shot at Virginia State University:
“We don’t know all of the details yet, but we do know that the students and staff of Virginia State University will have lasting effects from the gunfire, chaos, and trauma. Gun Violence should never be part of the college experience, but the Teachers Unify Crisis Intervention team is available for those who need support, day or night. It’s OK to ask for help.”
The Teachers Unify Crisis Intervention team is led by teachers with decades of experience in the classroom who are survivors of gun violence, clinicians, and Dr. Michael Schultz, a licensed psychologist, family therapist, and systems consultant.
Any staff, professor, teacher or school, public or private, can reach a member of the crisis intervention team by calling 203-296-3689 or emailing response@teachersunify.org.
Abbey Clements is the executive director and a Co-Founder of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence. She is a survivor teacher of the Sandy Hook School tragedy in 2012, and was an elementary educator for over 30 years. Abbey has been featured in various events, publications, and documentaries including the 2024 DNC, Newtown, If I Don’t Make It, I Love You, Bullets Into Bells, AFT Voices, USA Today, AARP, Share My Lesson, The Hill, among others.
Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence envisions a future where every school in the United States is a safe haven and a safe learning environment for every child, and where all citizens live without the fear and trauma of gun violence.
