Students Mourn Loss Of Broken Arrow Teacher

A thousand words can't express the loss of 7th grade Oneta Ridge geography teacher Shane Anderson, but the students keep writing and trying.

"It doesn't even feel real, and it keeps popping in your head and it doesn't feel real,” said former Student Karlee Payne.

Scrawled along the walls, on post-it notes, dry erase boards and windows, student after student reflect on a teacher taken too soon.

Payne is in 8th grade now, but Mr. Anderson taught her geology last year. She's been able to dry her tears now but knows the pain will last for a while.

"It was like most people I’ve seen crying and even the teachers and staff was crying,” she said. “It was just really down today."

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Anderson has been a staple in the Oneta Ridge halls for five years. Students could catch a hi-five or hello.

"He was well loved by his students,” said principal Mickey Replogle. “He was a very enthusiastic teacher."

This tragedy is tough to take but allowing the writings on the wall helps.

"Students need to express their feelings however they need to, so we made every available source available to them,” said Replogle.

District representatives say the district is large but it's a family, and right now, the Broken Arrow family is hurt. But they aren't broken.

As they push toward a happier day, they know that Anderson died a hero protecting his wife and children.

“I just can't imagine what they are going through,” said Payne. “They must be really sad and traumatized."