Malissa Thomas-St. Clair's son, Anthony, was murdered in 2013. In 2020, another homicide in her community led the Columbus math teacher to say 'enough is enough.' She founded Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children to provide support to families who have lost loved ones to violence, and is now piloting a violence interruption program with students at Champion Middle School, where she teaches.
Show Notes
Featured Education Matters guest:
- Malissa Thomas-St. Clair
- 7th & 8th grade math teacher, Champion Middle School, Columbus
- Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children founder
- Central Ohio Crimestoppers Civilian of the Year
- "I am a 46 year resident of the city of Columbus, Ohio. My heart is with this city. As a native resident I have a rich history that is rooted in Columbus. I was born at the former St. Ann’s hospital on Bryden road, I attended Catholic schools up until my sophomore year in high school. I became a teen mother at 16, and a 1992 graduate of Eastmoor High School. My focus deepened on my purpose when I became a mother. With the support of phenomenal educators, coaches, and city resources I successfully graduated at the top 50% of my high school class, graduated with honors in 1997 from Capital University, earned my first Master Degree in 2009, my second in 2018, and currently over the halfway mark toward my doctoral degree. I am a 24 year veteran educator with Columbus City Schools, a coach, a mentor, and community advocate. I am a wife, and a mother of two sons.
My son Anthony was 22 years of age when a man senselessly took his life. Once my son was murdered I instantly went into community advocacy. I used my platform as an educator to speak to as many youth as I possibly could about choices, and their future. It was August 12, 2020 when my world in community advocacy was thrust into the entire city of Columbus as the founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children. A two year old was murdered in the community in which I teach. That was my enough is enough moment and my nonprofit was born. From that point I have collided with my Christian Faith, my own experience with the loss of a child to the violence in the city, and my passion for change to proactively put forth action to advocate for safety to return to our great city."
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About us:
- The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
- Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children.
This episode was recorded in November, 2021.
What is Public Education Matters?
Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million children - 90 percent of students in the state! What happens in the classroom has impacts far beyond the walls of the K-12 school building or higher ed lecture hall. So, on behalf of the 120,000 members of the Ohio Education Association, we're taking a deeper dive into some of the many education issues facing our students, educators, and communities. Originally launched in 2021 as Education Matters, Public Education Matters is your source for insightful conversations with the people who shape the education landscape in Ohio. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on Public Education Matters? Email us at educationmatters@ohea.org