Education Minnesota mourns the death of colleague Philando Castile

For more information, contact:
Chris Williams
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)

ST. PAUL, Minn. July 7, 2016 – St. Paul Public Schools employee Philando Castile, 32, died Wednesday after being shot by a police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. Castile was a cafeteria supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul.

Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement in response:

"There was more to Philando Castile than the wounded man in the video. He was a hard-working educator who played his part in preparing Minnesota children for successful lives. He was a friend to his school colleagues, a companion to his girlfriend and a mentor to his students. Those kids need us now. The pain and shock of Phil's senseless death comes during the summer, when the emotional support and counseling offered in schools is often out of reach. So it falls to us – the adults – to be there for the children. As heartbreaking as this death is for us, it will be worse for the kids who just lost their lunchroom friend, Philando Castile."

Castile was a member of Teamsters Local 320. Though he was not a member of Education Minnesota, his commitment to students was as strong as any teacher, college instructor or education support professional represented by our union.

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.