Columbus Teacher Turns Tragedy into Transformational Mission
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.
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."
LEARN MORE | For more information about Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children's work in the community and how you can help, click here to see the group's website or click here to connect them on Facebook.
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- 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.
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This episode was recorded in November, 2021.
