This piece examines Ivy Schamis' journey following the loss of two students in the Parkland school shooting, highlighting her steadfast dedication to supporting her students' emotional and mental health in its aftermath. Though she eventually left Parkland to focus on her own healing, Schamis remained connected with her students, offering ongoing support as they navigated life after the tragedy.
When the school reopened two weeks later, Ms. Schamis was there, shuffling between campus buildings with a cart of teaching supplies. The school’s psychological support offerings for students included coloring books and Play-Doh. She found them useless. She arranged to instead have a service dog, Luigi, a golden retriever, join her classes for the rest of the year.
The students, too, scattered around the country, but the Room 1214 text thread bound them together. Over time, there were updates: Ally Allen, inspired by Ms. Schamis, was preparing to become a teacher. Hannah Carbocci was pursing a career in criminal justice and writing her thesis on warning signs in school shooters. Catie Krakow was getting a degree in mental health counseling and shared tips on how the others could care for themselves as another anniversary approached.