LONGMEADOW – Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis said the trauma of a tragedy like the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting “never leaves you,” but it its possible to carry on.

The former first grade teacher who saved 15 of her students during the Dec. 14, 2012 shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six staff members in Newtown, CT, will speak about overcoming trauma and finding hope at Bay Path University on Oct. 15.

 “When something happens to us that seems insurmountable – it does not have to be,” Roig-DeBellis said. “We can make a choice to move through the darkness because we can absolutely find the light. For myself, one of the most important things that I realized and I think it’s very important to share with others – I will never move forward from Dec. 14, 2012. Never. It’s a part of me wholeheartedly, but every single day I will move forward.”

Roig-DeBellis released her memoir, “Choosing Hope: Moving Forward from Life’s Darkest Hours,” on Oct. 6, which she told Reminder Publications would be the focus of her speaking event. The book was co-written with New York Times bestselling author Robin Gaby Fisher.

Roig-DeBellis explained she decided to write “Choosing Hope” because when she began speaking professionally attendees wanted to connect with her.

“They wanted to connect their pain to my pain,” she added. “They would come up to me and they would say, ‘My son committed suicide; my husband died; I was just diagnosed with terminal cancer.’ They wanted to share their pain with me and to let me know that I wasn’t alone and to let me know that I had reminded them that they weren’t alone.”

Roig-DeBellis said despite the tragedy surrounding the Sandy Hook shooting, she was glad to see increased discussions on topics such as gun regulations and mental illness treatment at the national level.  

The memoir also touches on other aspects of her life, including her lifelong passion for teaching, she noted.

“It really always seemed to be my calling – to always be what I was interested in doing,” she explained. “First grade was the only grade that I taught for seven years and it’s just the most magical grade. Your students are learning everything for the first time and as a teacher you get to see it through their eyes.”

She added that her passion for education was bolstered following the Sandy Hook shooting.

Roig-DeBellis said she maintains contact with the children she saved during the Sandy Hook shooting and their families.

“We mostly do all keep in touch,” she added. “I saw some of my students two weeks ago and I’m in very close contact with their families. I’m very grateful for that.”

Roig-DeBellis is also the founder of Classes 4 Classes, a national web-based nonprofit organization for K-8 students to become actively engaged in lessons of kindness, compassion and empathy.  

“The hope is that when we engage them in these lessons, then there is not room for hate,” she explained. “We are a tool for teachers to engage their students in what they are already doing during their morning meeting and closing circle.”

Roig-DeBellis said Bay Path University holds a special place in her heart. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bay Path President Carol Leary.

“I am teaching a course there starting in January,” she added. “I’ll be an adjunct professor at Bay Path. I am teaching an undergraduate education course – future teachers; my people; my tribe.”

Roig-DeBellis will speak at Bay Path University’s Mills Theatre at 7 p.m. The event is free, but reservations are strongly recommended.
    For more information about Roig-DeBellis’ speech at Bay Path visit www.baypath.edu/news-and-events/events/2015/october/kaleidoscope-roig-debellis.