In his final days battling COVID-19, Houston educator Mark Sanchez expressed deep concern for his students. As the pandemic continues to impact schools across the nation, many teachers and staff have succumbed to the virus. A special education teacher in New Mexico tragically passed away at the age of 57 in October, while an Iowa teacher lost their life just days after testing positive. Similarly, a beloved first-grade teacher from El Paso, known for a viral video of her students embracing, died after a two-month struggle with COVID-19. Recently, Mark Sanchez, a chemistry teacher at Charles H. Milby High School, made headlines for his selfless focus on his students during his final moments.
Sanchez, a dedicated educator with 23 years of teaching experience, passed away on December 6. He taught in-person classes at a high school located in one of Houston’s most underserved neighborhoods. After testing positive for the virus on November 8, he was hospitalized two days later. Despite his dire condition and difficulty breathing, he reached out to his wife, Maria Sanchez, with a message expressing worry about his classes: “Have they assigned a substitute for my lessons?”
Just four days later, Sanchez was placed on a ventilator and spent nearly two weeks in intensive care before his passing. Maria expressed her desire for greater protections for teachers: “I don’t want this to ever happen to another teacher.”
The news of Mark’s death devastated his family and colleagues. His sister-in-law, Laura Martinez, shared the heartbreak felt by those who knew him. “He was a wonderful father, husband, and teacher,” she said. To honor his memory and assist with funeral expenses, Laura set up a GoFundMe campaign that quickly surpassed its initial goal, raising over $15,000.
Milby High School, which serves around 1,800 students, has been impacted significantly by the pandemic. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) confirmed that a member of their community had tested positive for COVID-19 shortly before Mark’s hospitalization, although they did not disclose his identity at that time. Following his death, HISD expressed deep sorrow over the loss and provided counseling services to support students and staff.
Mark Sanchez is among many educators who have tragically lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. According to the American Federation of Teachers, over 530 school employees have died from the virus in the past year, underscoring the ongoing risk faced by those in the profession. “There are educators that are dying and have died from this,” stated Daniel A. Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. This grim reality heightens the urgency for protective measures in schools.
One teacher described the situation as akin to “Russian roulette,” with many fearing for their safety each day. “He could have been me,” reflected Traci Johnson, a teacher at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, acknowledging the stark reality of their profession. “Every day that I step on campus, I’m not quite sure if it’s my last day.”
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Summary:
Mark Sanchez, a Houston high school chemistry teacher, tragically passed away from COVID-19 while expressing concern for his students. His death highlights the ongoing risks faced by educators during the pandemic and the emotional impact on families and communities. The Houston Independent School District has since offered support services, reflecting the widespread grief and concern among staff and students.