Choosing Hope

Choosing Hope

Both a chilling and moving account of the Sandy Hook massacre told by the teacher who saved 15 of her students by hiding in a bathroom and a book about recovery from trauma with an inspirational and life-affirming message.

Kaitlin Roig-Debellis is the first-grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School who saved her entire class of fifteen six- and-seven-year-olds from the tragic events that took place on December 14, 2012, by piling them into a tiny bathroom within her classroom, mere feet from the brutal massacre taking place outside the door. Since then, despite the unimaginably painful experiences she endured, she has chosen to share her experience with others, in the hope that they too can find light in dark moments.

Choosing Hope is many things. A written witness to a tragedy that will never be forgotten. A gripping firsthand testament to the power of good over the power of destruction. An inspirational memoir by a brave young woman whose story is one of courage, heroism, faith, and resilience. And a celebration of all the people who make the choice to pass along their hope and positivity to young ones-parents, mentors, and especially teachers. There is no moving on, but there is always moving forward. And how we move forward is a choice.

Kaitlin M. Roig-DeBellis attended The University of Connecticut, where she completed her Masters of Education with honours from the Neag School of Education in 2006. In 2007 she began teaching first grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In 2013, while on temporary leave from teaching, she founded Classes 4 Classes, Inc., (https://www.classes4classes.org/). Kaitlin has been honoured as a Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year. She was also chosen as one of "L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth" of which she was among "10 Inspiring Women Making Beautiful Differences in their Communities" for her work with Classes 4 Classes. In 2013, she attended the State of the Union address as a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama. That same year she received the Dedicated Teacher Award from The Chicago International Conference on Education. She contributes to a bi-weekly educational blog for the Huffington Post and contributed to the book, 'Teaching From the Heart,' Volume 2. She has been featured in People, Marie Claire, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and All You, and appeared on The Nightly News with Diane Sawyer, Anderson Cooper 360 and The Katie Couric Show. Kaitlin currently speaks to School Boards, Administrators, Teachers and High School and College students across the United States and Canada as a keynote and commencement speaker. In 2014, she ran the New York City Marathon in honor of the lives lost at Sandy Hook.

Choosing Hope
Allen and Unwin
Author: Kaitlin M. Roig-DeBellis
ISBN: 9781925266177
RRP: $29.99