Abbey Clements

Giving Tuesday 12/2/25

Every day, teachers carry the profound responsibility of keeping students safe, healthy & ready to learn. This year, as Giving Tuesday approaches, we invite you support raising the voices of those who are always giving: teachers & staff. secure.actblue.com/donate/TU-AL... ☮️📚📓

Statement on HBO's Documentary, Thoughts and Prayers "Thoughts and Prayers is an important documentary showing what can happen when teachers don't have a seat at the table to advocate for safer school communities. It also highlights how schools often pursue quick and potentially harmful fixes instead of holistic, trauma-informed prevention strategies like secure firearm storage education and expanded counseling and mental health resources."

Invite educators to the table. We know what’s best for kids & what’s harmful. We can be a part of the solution by doing what we do best:

🍎 advocating for preventative best practices that are supported by data & promote wellness,
🍎 educating the public on resources that can help in times of crisis.

Sofia Gonzales, Maestra

Meet our newest Ambassador, Sofia Gonzalez! “Being a teacher against gun violence is a huge part of my life’s work. Teaching inner-city Chicago for many years & being very proximate, specifically to gang violence—it’s something I’ve been combatting for over a decade…Enough is absolutely enough.” ☮️📚📓

"Studies have shown that when food insecurity rises, firearm injuries rise too. Congress must find a way to make sure our children do not go hungry during this government shutdown because if it does not, our communities will face the prospect of more hunger and more violence."

In one NIH multi-city study, every 1-pt increase in county food insecurity was linked to ~56 additional gun-related injuries per 100,000 people. 62% of those injured in the study resided in counties with high levels of food insecurity. Follow @feedingamerica.org to donate to or host a food bank. ☮️📓📚

It was great to connect with educators committed to protecting kids from gun violence, alongside @pftlocal3.bsky.social Chief of Staff LeShawna Coleman. Prevention and healing are possible with greater resources, political will, and education!

These teachers survived school shootings. Now they’re offering help to their peers. “They don't have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath,” said Kiki Leyba, who was teaching at Columbine High School during the 1999 mass shooting.

Thank you @chalkbeat.org & our incredible Crisis Intervention & Support Leadership Team! ❤️‍🩹☮️📓📚

THANK YOU TEACHERS & SCHOOL STAFF for all you do to keep kids safe. American Education Week November 17-21, 2025 @teachersunity

Thank you to all the educators, counselors & school staff who show up for students every day with dedication & heart. Your commitment ensures kids can learn—even in the face of the threat & impact of gun violence—while shaping futures & strengthening communities. We are grateful for all you do. 🩷☮️

Celebrate the Tiny Things: Retired Teachers Work for Change in Ithaca By Sydney Chaffee, Teachers Unify Blog Editor

📣 new blog post about a group of retired teachers working hard to promote secure firearm storage to save lives & prevent trauma. Deep gratitude to Team Ithaca and to our Ambassador Sydney Chaffee—2017 National Teacher of the Year, blog editor & HS teacher. Please share & subscribe to our Substack! ☮️

We may not perfectly protect kids online, but at least we try. We don’t show that same commitment when it comes to gun violence — the number one cause of death for children and teens in America. And we know it’s preventable, with proven ways to reduce it. #BooksNotBullets

projectlockdown.org

Give to the Max Day - Thank you!

Minnesota friends & others near & far, please consider donating today! #GTMD25 www.givemn.org/organization...

These teachers survived school shootings. Now they’re offering help to their peers. “They don't have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath,” said Kiki Leyba, who was teaching at Columbine High School during the 1999 mass shooting.

“They don't have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath,” said Kiki Leyba, who was teaching at Columbine High School during the 1999 mass shooting.

These teachers survived school shootings. Now they’re offering help to their peers. “They don't have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath,” said Kiki Leyba, who was teaching at Columbine High School during the 1999 mass shooting.

Constantly in awe of my incredible friend @abbeyclements.bsky.social for her brilliance and kindness and leadership and for all the ways she shows up -- every single day -- for our teachers and kids and schools. @teachersunify.bsky.social

www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...

Goals of the Summit

Photo at dinner

Beautiful table

Best team photo ever

Our Crisis Intervention & Support Leadership Team came together in Philly for a powerful few days of connection, strategic planning & shared purpose. Lasting change in the prevention & aftermath of gun violence must begin with those on the front lines of our schools. response@teachersunify.org

It was a weekend filled with laughter, tears, hugs, work, planning & determination to make this world safe from gun violence. These are some of the toughest, bravest, most resilient educators. Our experiences brought us together & our friendship keeps us together. @teachersunify.bsky.social

Opinion: Teachers are key in the fight against domestic violence Having teachers and schools more routinely educated about Red Flag laws will help to keep our families safer.

“Having teachers and schools more routinely educate about Red Flag laws will not only make the public more aware of their options, but it can also help make these important tools seem less intimidating to people who are in crisis.” - Abbey Clements, co-founder of @teachersunify.bsky.social

Voices for Change: Elyse Thulin Dr. Elyse Thulin is an assistant research professor at the University of Michigan who aims to reduce the risk of violence and suicide among youth. She focuses on advancing adolescent mental health.

Must 🎧 @teachersunifypc.bsky.social episode! #BooksNotBullets ☮️📚📓

Flo Rice

Meet Crisis Intervention & Support Team Member, Flo Rice! “I want others to know I’ve been there—and they are not alone.” Flo was shot 6x during the Santa Fe HS tragedy in 2018 when she was a substitute teacher. Flo testifies, meets with lawmakers, and is active in the wider survivor community.

Opinion: Teachers are key in the fight against domestic violence Having teachers and schools more routinely educated about Red Flag laws will help to keep our families safer.

“As a teacher, I especially think about the troubling link between domestic violence and gun violence.” #GunViolence #Enough @teachersunify.bsky.social

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH Firearms can turn domestic violence deadly. Women, children, families deserve to be safe. @teachersunify

#BooksNotBullets
#SafeSchoolsSafeCommunities
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Kiki Leyba

Welcome to our Crisis Intervention & Support Team, Kiki Leyba— a 1st yr teacher during the Columbine HS tragedy who helped many in & outside his district (that just endured its 3rd tragedy).“No one should walk alone on the recovery journey.” Kiki’s a @giffords.org Latino Advisory Council member. ☮️📚📓

Robin Walker

Welcome to our Crisis Intervention & Support Team, Robin Walker! Robin is a survivor teacher of the Sandy Hook School tragedy—taught there for 20 years, including 6 afterwards. Now retired, she continues to live in Newtown. “Maybe I can provide hope to others.” 🩷☮️📚📓

Ben Tucker

📣 Meet Crisis Intervention & Support Team member, Ben Tucker—retired teacher, survivor: Sparks Middle School tragedy, NV & @everytown.bsky.social @momsdemand.bsky.social volunteer. “I want to help support educators through the tremendous challenge of healing the lasting wounds of gun violence.” 🩷☮️📚

Statement on New Everytown Report Confirming Arming Teachers is Not Effective for Preventing School Shootings

A new @everytown.bsky.social Support Fund report finds no evidence that arming teachers deters or reduces school shootings — and instead increases risk for students and staff. Arming teachers is dangerous and unethical. everytownsupportfund.org/press/new-ev...
#BooksNotBullets
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Books, Not Bullets: Engaging the Education Community for Safe Schools & Neighborhoods

Our team is heading to the @teacherpowered.bsky.social Schools National Conference to present, table & screen www.deathbynumbersthefilm.com! Meet us in Ypsilanti, MI: bit.ly/TPS-conference #BooksNotBullets #TPS2025 ☮️📓📚

Sarah Lerner

Welcome to our Crisis Intervention & Support Team, Sarah Lerner @mrslerner.bsky.social—Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS tragedy survivor, TU co-founder & @teachersunifypc.bsky.social host. Sarah speaks at conferences on gun violence prevention & journalism.
response@teachersunify.org
203-296-3689
🩷☮️📚📓

New Everytown Report Confirms Arming Teachers is Not Effective for Preventing School Shootings Arming Teachers Can Heighten Risks of Unintentional Shootings, Escalate Violence, and Deepen Classroom Inequities with No Evidence of Protective Benefits, According to New Report Case Studies in Iowa,...

I feel so lucky to be working and collaborating with such a thoughtful and dedicated team @everytown.bsky.social. Our latest -- a new report on arming teachers -- out this morning:

everytownsupportfund.org/press/new-ev...

@teacherscollege.bsky.social @teachersunify.bsky.social

Liesl Fressola

Welcome to our Crisis Intervention & Support Team @lieslfressola.bsky.social, Sandy Hook School tragedy survivor who recognizes the unique strength survivors can bring to one another. “It would be an honor to pass on that wisdom & power to others.” —LF 🩷☮️📚📓

Teachers Unify | Survivor Stories: Cindy Carlson This episode features Cindy Carlson, a Sandy Hook School survivor. She talks about her experience from Dec. 14, 2012, her work in the gun violence prevention space and much more.

“It's still as I’m sure for anyone, leads to an emotional response in me” #GunViolence @teachersunify.bsky.social

Amy Taylor

Welcome to our Crisis Intervention & Support Team, Amy Taylor—Sandy Hook School tragedy survivor committed to supporting school staff in self-care, recovery & resiliency. “Helping others on this harrowing journey is imperative.” Amy is a teacher for 20+ years & is an active local @aft.org member. ☮️📚

Survivor Stories: Cindy Carlson This episode features Cindy Carlson, a survivor of the Sandy Hook tragedy. She shares her powerful story, the lasting impact of that day, and her ongoing work in gun violence prevention.

#BooksNotBullets @teachersunifypc.bsky.social
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