The human faces of the grim toll COVID’s has taken on teachers and school staffers are being shared daily on a Twitter feed called “School Personnel Lost To Covid.”
Among its most recent posts is Linda Sundey, a 61-year-old school bus driver from Polk County, Florida, who died on Sept. 23. She was the 12th adult connected to the district to pass away from COVID and among about 90 school personnel lost so far in Florida.
Linda Sundey – 61, Died 9/23/21. School Bus Driver, Polk County, FL.
12th person posted from District and one of 89 currently posted/counted @FloridaEA staff who’ve died this school yr; Is 206th school bus driver/aide posted here.https://t.co/2kDBMha0oshttps://t.co/croHzRXdss pic.twitter.com/TprSb6LOWC
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 30, 2021
As of Thursday, the feed, which launched in October 2020, listed 1,820 educators, coaches, bus drivers and others who have died of the virus. Nearly 360 of those had succumbed to COVID since July 1.
Its curator told District Administration that deaths are tracked as they are reported by local news outlets, social media, district websites, funeral homes and other sources.
“It’s been very important for me from a credibility standpoint that all deaths are sourced (confirming Covid) and people posted are actively working in school/coaching/youth mentoring role,” the curator told DA in a Tweet.
Another Polk County staff member, elementary school teacher Lourdes Courson, 51, died on Sept. 19.
Lourdes Courson – 51, Died Sept 18, 2021. Teacher, Oscar J. Pope Elem, Polk County @PolkSchoolsNews, FL. 11th person posted from District and one of 89 currently posted/counted @FloridaEA staff members who’ve died this school yr.https://t.co/VW8LIn2D82https://t.co/nVT43Kej47 pic.twitter.com/bMdg4pAXTU
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 29, 2021
Alice Jones- age unknown, Died 9/27/21. School Bus Driver, Polk County, FL. 9th person posted from District (will now join 84 currently posted/counted @FloridaEA staff) who’ve died this school yr; 204th bus driver/aide posted here.https://t.co/2kGJB7eY8Yhttps://t.co/2kGJB7eY8Y pic.twitter.com/HfW2SqW83j
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 29, 2021
The feed has not captured all deaths that have occurred among school personnel as details are not available for all individuals, the curator Tweeted. For instance, he has counted seven deaths in Polk County Schools while another researcher lists 16.
Kaylee Dabe, 25, an art teacher at Montgomery Preparatory Academy in Dayton, Ohio, is among the youngest on the list.
Kaylee Dabe – 25, Died Sept 13, 2021. Art Teacher, Montgomery Preparatory Academy, Dayton, OH.
An extremely talented artist who was excited to start her new career.
Kaylee is the 7th OH school staff member posted who’s died this school year.https://t.co/TdoUKaRqiE pic.twitter.com/T0hQiKltXn
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 29, 2021
The feed also marked the recent deaths of a 28-year-old science teacher and volleyball coach and a 23-year-old first-year teacher.
Jackqueline Lowery – 28, Died Sept 18, 2021. 7th Grade Science Teacher and Volleyball Coach, Darlington County Schools, SC.https://t.co/RckByH6Yu7https://t.co/xTh7h3GLYphttps://t.co/3EzCkHNJZq pic.twitter.com/DBv8cYX1N0
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 23, 2021
Savanna Davis – 23, Died Sept 23, 2021. Teacher, Vinemont Elem, Cullman County Schools, AL. Was a first-year teacher – her mother (in pic) also teaches at the same school.
Savanna is 12th Alabama school staff member posted who's died this school year.https://t.co/N5AieRc8Cn pic.twitter.com/KSI7rHs6vx
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 27, 2021
The feed has counted 13 deaths in Alabama, including teacher Pamela Owen of Tarrant City Schools.
Pamela Owen – 54, Died Sept 11, 2021. Teacher, Tarrant Intermediate School, Tarrant City Schools, Birmingham, AL.
Pamela is 13th Alabama school staff member posted who's died this school year.https://t.co/t4qcoZAZtqhttps://t.co/jZTIsy927O pic.twitter.com/VGp4MSkLVH
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 28, 2021
Among the administrators listed is Javier Castaneda, principal and superintendent of Heritage Community Charter School in Idaho.
Dr. Javier Castaneda – age unknown, Died 9/15/21. Principal/Supt Heritage Community Charter School, Caldwell, ID.
Leaves behind 7 children; daughter’s wedding set to occur in few wks and another daughter expecting to give birth to 1st grandchild any day.https://t.co/9ItyvDXIDR pic.twitter.com/CGKXJ7XYS2
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 18, 2021
Another listing, for a school resource officer from Connecticut, says not getting vaccinated was he and his wife’s “greatest regret.”
Mark Gendron – 52, Died Aug 24, 2021. School Resource Officer, EO Smith HS, Mansfield, CT. Was also a youth sports coach.
Suffered from adult-onset asthma – was not vaxxed – which his wife called their greatest regret.https://t.co/KBtcW8SPozhttps://t.co/5A370iRVKS pic.twitter.com/GCsVCryZLu
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 27, 2021
The site also marked the death of a teacher and football and wrestling coach from Georgia whom reports said was fully-vaccinated.
Lee Autry – 59, Died Sept 4, 2021. Teacher and Head Football & Wrestling Coach, Indian Creek Middle School, Newton County, Covington, GA. h/t @wsbtv
Was fully vaccinated.
Lee is the 32nd GA school staff member posted who has died since July 31.https://t.co/XsoHOK9IMc pic.twitter.com/850Z1l52XB
— School Personnel Lost To Covid (@LostToCovid) September 15, 2021
