Madison teacher killed in Abundant Life shooting will be added to national memorial for teachers

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The Madison teacher who was killed in the December school shooting will be honored at a national memorial. 

Erin West was loved at Abundant Life Christian School. She was the substitute teacher coordinator. 

The National Teachers Hall of Fame confirmed to Civic Media that West will be added to the National Memorial to Fallen Educators in Emporia, Kansas. 

The memorial was created after the 2012 mass shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. It’s the only national remembrance of teachers who died on the job, due to violence, accidents, and illnesses caught at school like COVID-19. 

The memorial includes three large stone books, engraved with the names of teachers who died serving others. With 189 names on the memorial, three books have now filled up. 

“When the Memorial was dedicated in 2014, we had 2 stones. Within 5 years, another stone had to be added due the number of lives lost,” said Maddie Fennell, Executive Director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame. “Sadly, we need to add another stone at a cost of over $50,000 to purchase and engrave.”

There’s currently a fundraiser for $30,000 to help cover 60% of the cost for the next book. 

The annual Rededication Ceremony is June 20. West’s name will be read, and they’ll share information about her life.