To the editor:

I was impressed but not surprised at the stories of heroism coming out of the recent tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

It has been my experience that the bond between elementary school teachers and students, particularly in the lower grades, is something well beyond the normal teacher-student relationship, and more like a second-mother or second-father relationship.

Most elementary school teachers I know think of the children in their classroom as not just their students, but also as their "kids."

Most elementary school teachers would also not think twice about placing themselves in harm's way if they thought the safety of their students was in jeopardy.

We are truly fortunate to have such a high caliber of teachers in the elementary schools here in the Northampton Area School District as well.

Chuck Longacre

Moore Township