Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is seeking to amend a federal education bill and set aside funding to train teachers in social and emotional learning. The Democrat introduced the amendment Monday building upon the work of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation. The amendment is called the Jesse Lewis Empowering Educators Act, named for 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, one of 20 first graders killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Scarlett Lewis created the foundation after her son's death. At a news conference in Hartford, Lewis said Jesse wrote the words nurturing, healing and love on her kitchen blackboard days before the shooting. Lewis said those words became the inspiration for the foundation, which is focused on programs and curriculum for children, teachers and parents that encourage peaceful and positive interactions.
Senator Chris Murphy is co-sponsoring the legislation and fellow Connecticut Democrat Elizabeth Esty is supporting the House bill.
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