In My Voice: Witnessing the Trauma of Gun Violence as a High School Teacher

“It’s hard to explain how deep-seated the trauma from gun violence is.”

Throughout Mental Health Month, we will be sharing Q&As with individuals who have experience with different aspects of mental health and gun violence. Today, we share a Q&A with Ari Davis. Ari is currently a Public Health Fellow at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

1. Describe your teaching background.

I worked as a special education high school teacher in New Orleans. I supported 15 students through their freshman and sophomore years of high school. I worked with them and their families to develop individualized education programs and behavior plans.

2. What role did gun violence play in the school and community?

All of my students were directly impacted by gun violence. Within two years of teaching, three of my students were shot and killed. Six others had been shot, two of whom suffered gunshot injuries waiting for the bus after school.

Some of my students were also caught up in cycles of violence. Three were expelled for gun-related threats and violence. Two former students murdered someone with a firearm. One killed his former classmate.