Second Responders

Incoming Editorial·Reviewed May 14, 2026

Second Responders is a short documentary exploring the emotional aftermath of the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting through the perspective of public school teachers. Often overlooked in conversations surrounding tragedy and recovery, educators were forced to become emotional anchors for grieving students while navigating their own fear, trauma, and uncertainty. Through intimate interviews and observational storytelling, the film examines the invisible burden teachers carry in the wake of violence and the quiet resilience required to return to the classroom after a community is forever changed.