This is the story of Kaitlin Roig, a first grade teacher
at Sandy Hook Elementary School. On
December 14, 2012 she crammed 16 children and herself into a small classroom
bathroom, saving their lives when a shooter entered the school and killed 20
children and six adults.
Kaitlin was an adopted child who grew up in a loving and
supportive environment with strong values and unfailing belief in God. From an early age she knew she wanted to
become a teacher. She was thrilled when
she got her dream job as a first grade teacher at Sandy Hook.
Kaitlin was a devoted and dedicated teacher who wanted
her students not just to succeed academically, but to become kind,
compassionate people. The students loved
and trusted her implicitly, so when they heard the sound of gunshots and
Kaitlin urged the students into their tiny bathroom, they followed without a
qualm. Her description of the actual
event is compelling and chilling beyond words.
What followed after the shooting were dark days and
nights of depression and fear for Kaitlin as she relived the terror and tried
to understand why it had happened. It
was in a therapy session that she suddenly realized that for her, healing could
only come from action, and that the act of giving is what would allow her to
survive and thrive. She came to
understand that while we cannot control all the bad things that may happen to
us, we can control how we respond to them.
Kaitlin chose hope.
Wanting to bring this spirit of giving to others,
Kaitlin, no longer a classroom teacher, formed a non-profit organization. Classes 4 Classes is a website that connects
children who need classroom materials with children who want to work to provide
them. Since it launched in April 2013,
Classes 4 Classes has served more than a thousand students in ten states, and
has been featured in many major publications.
Kaitlin is a sought-after motivational and inspirational speaker who
continues to carry her message to audiences throughout the country - when you
face your darkest hour, choose hope.
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Reviewed by Kate Tesdell
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