Letter: Power of teachers' love was shown in the Newton school shooting

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 25 2012 12:00 a.m. MST

In this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 file photo, Gary Seri, general manager at the Stone River Grille, hangs a sign reading "HUG A TEACHER TODAY" written on a table cloth in honor of the teachers who died along with students a day earlier when a gunman opened fire at the Sandy Hook elementary school in the Sandy Hook village of Newtown, Conn.

Associated Press

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As the stories of the heroic acts of the teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School unfolded, I could not help but reflect that these selfless acts are exactly what teachers would do.

During terrifying moments and unimaginable circumstances, teachers expressed love for the children in their care. These acts are instinctual to our educators.

David Bosso, the 2012 Connecticut Teacher of the Year said it perfectly. "In the midst of this unfathomable loss and profound sorrow, you have buoyed our spirits and given us hope. Because of your passion, courage, sacrifice, and devotion, I am once again reassured to proudly declare to educators everywhere: Never again say, 'I am just a teacher.'"

Sharon Gallagher-Fiahbaugh

President of Utah Education Association

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one old man

Ogden, UT

Thank goodness I'm retired from the classroom now. Teaching is changing very rapidly -- and not much of it for the better.

It's a tough job being made much harder all the time.

12:10 p.m. Dec. 25, 2012
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The Real Maverick

Orem, UT

And yet, they're only worth mentioning when politicians use test scores to try and justify privatizing education or bashing unions. It's so sad how poorly we treat teachers.

9:48 p.m. Dec. 25, 2012
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catcrazed

Eagle Mountain, UT

God bless teachers everywhere for the unselfish service they render. Remember, there are far more who would defend their students' lives than would hurt them.

9:44 a.m. Jan. 7, 2013
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