TCEA 2023 Speakers

On Dec. 14, 2012, in the first classroom of Sandy Hook Elementary School, first grade teacher Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis endured unimaginable tragedy. The heroic teacher is credited with saving the lives of all 15 of her students by acting quickly upon hearing the sounds of gunfire and locking them all in a small bathroom until the “good guys” came to let her know that it was over and they were now safe to come out.

Kaitlin is the founder and executive Director of Classes 4 Classes, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization and social networking tool for students. Kaitlin founded Classes 4 Classes knowing that positive social change was needed, and it needed to begin with the youngest members of our society, our K-8 students. Classes 4 Classes has been featured in People, O Magazine, Fortune, Glamour, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, and other national publications.

Kaitlin speaks to school boards, administrators, teachers, and high school and college students across the U.S. and Canada as a keynote and commencement speaker. Kaitlin is the author of “Choosing Hope: Moving Forward From Life’s Darkest Hours,” published by G.P. Putnam & Penguin. Additionally, she teaches two courses at Bay Path University as an adjunct professor. Kaitlin serves on the NEAG Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a Leadership Legacy Mentor at the University of Connecticut. She also sits on the Glam4Good Advisory board. In 2016, Kaitlin received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Kaitlin has worked in recruitment and admissions at both Bay Path University and UConn since 2018.