In the wake of the killing of 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Connecticut, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said in a statement that she had "pledged to do everything we can to provide support and comfort to the students, teachers, administrators, their families and everyone in this community grappling with this trauma" in a phone conversation with Newtown Federation of Teachers President Tom Kuroski.

"Our thanks go out to all of the first responders for their efforts to ensure the safety of all the students and staff. In this horrible moment, there were also extraordinary acts of courage by school staff to lock down the school and protect children.

"We'll never be able to prevent every senseless act of violence, but our children, educators and school employees go to school believing it is a safe sanctuary. We've been through this too many times. Everything we can do, we must do, including a renewed focus on gun control and preventing gun violence."

The AFT's Share My Lesson site, a resource by and for teachers, is featuring information on helping children cope with traumatic events, as well as prevention resources.