To the Education Community

Lauri Kirsch, Shelagh Gallagher, John Segota

 

We at NAGC are heartbroken and finding it difficult to process the horrific events at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, this week. This tragedy comes less than two weeks after another mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, one of the deadliest racist massacres in recent history. While these events create unimaginable pain and suffering for those connected to the victims, they also directly impact us as a community and a country.

 

Schools and supermarkets are familiar and essential elements of our community. We rely on schools in particular to be safe environments for our children, and yet, once again, we are left trying to comprehend the incomprehensible. At times such as these, we grieve for those who are lost, offer solace and solidarity for those communities directly affected by violence, do what we can to support each other, and perhaps most important, we must work together towards positive, permanent change.

 

These recent acts of violence come while we are all still trying to cope with the challenges and turmoil we experienced over the last two years. As a community, we are especially aware of mental health and the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented children. To offer support, we have made available a variety of resources published by NAGC that deal with important topics such as mental health, managing grief and anxiety, and emotional well-being.

 

During difficult times such as these, take the time for self-care and be aware of the needs of those around you. As an organization, we are committed to supporting all those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children, and we are honored that you are part of the greater NAGC community. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, parent, caregiver, researcher, or counselor, please know that we appreciate all that you do for gifted and talented children.