SALT LAKE CITY — Bleary-eyed students arriving for class at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at East High School were startled to find their teachers packed at every entrance, cheering loudly and holding signs.
"Love, not fear."
"Thank you for being different. You are why I love my job."
"Gracias por ser tu. Eres importante. Eres querido. Eres lo mejor."
The students shuffled through quickly, but with big, uncontrollable smiles on their faces. Some stopped to hug or talk to their teachers.
"I was surprised," said sophomore Apu Ika. "I've never seen that before. They're really trying to get a message out."
That message is one of unity and love, according to teacher Leigh VandenAkker.
"All of us had a meeting and wanted to do something for our students," she said. "We wanted them to know we love them."
VandenAkker said tensions at the school have been high since the presidential election and that teachers were searching for ways to unify the school, where 6 out of 10 students are minorities and just as many are low-income.
Students also said they had been deeply affected by the car crash that killed two students at Corner Canyon High School over the weekend.
"What better way than for teachers to lead out?" VandenAkker said.
East High School Principal Greg Maughan said it's important for teens to hear positive reinforcement, particularly from their teachers.
"Any time's a hard time to be a teen," Maughan said. "They're bombarded by negative messages. Kids need even more positivity than we do."
His so-called "adopted son," junior Alfonso Herrera, called the teachers' show of affection "beautiful."
"It makes people feel more appreciated and loved," he said.
Language arts teacher Nicole Wilson, who helped organize the event, said she had seen how similar initiatives in Colorado helped combat school bullying.
Several teachers also made a YouTube video for students called "Love Overcomes Fear."
Wilson laughed as students walked in one by one, unable to control the embarrassed grins that spread on their faces.
"That's our job," said Wilson. "To make sure it becomes a positive and safe space."
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