New Mexico third grade teacher dies from COVID-19 | KRQE News 13
Category: News & Politics
Via: sister-mary-agnes-ample-bottom • 4 years ago • 23 commentsBy: Courtney Allen (KRQE News Albuquerque - Santa Fe)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
FT. WINGATE, N.M. (KRQE) - A New Mexico third grade teacher taught her students right up to the end before losing her battle with coronavirus. Her loved ones said she always put others, especially her students, before herself. "Everyone I know will always say they are going to miss her smile," Phillip Belone said. "They are going to miss her big hugs and her genuine love that she had for you."
Phillip is mourning his younger sister, Philamena Belone. "I am not surprised sitting here sharing her story because she was a special person," Belone said.
The two grew up together on the Navajo Nation. Philamena went on to pursue her passion for being a teacher. She taught third grade for eight years outside of Gallup at Wingate Elementary where the majority of the students are native.
"Our kids on the reservation deserve the best, and my sister was the absolute best teacher they could ask for," Phillip said. "She could have taught at many schools, but her life's legacy was serving those she felt a connection with."
The school is completely virtual right now, but Philip said Philamena still went in to create hard copy study packets and worked weekends to get them to her students. He said she tested positive for coronavirus a few weeks ago. "She taught and tutored even though she was on oxygen wearing an oxygen mask," Belone said. "She taught until she couldn't physically teach anymore."
Philamena, who Phillip said was just 44-years-old and healthy, passed away Friday. Wingate's principal, Eric North, said her death was a "kick in the gut" for the school. "To lose a member of the Bear Cub family in our own house is really traumatic and emotional," North said. "She taught a number of students over the years. It's really impacted a lot of different age groups."
North shared a photo of the last bulletin board Philamena did at the school which encouraged students to achieve their full potential. Phillip said that is the mark she leaves behind. "I truly hope there are more people out there like my sister," Phillip said."
People have been flooding social media with messages about Philamena. One person said she was an "amazing jewel" at the school who uplifted students and coworkers. Another parent said their kids were blessed to have her as a teacher.
The principal said they have families who have lost a number of relatives to the virus. He said they are making counseling available for staff and students.
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Thank you so much for sharing this article Sister. The part of her she shared with his students to help them a better chance at life, and the part of her heart she left them with, will never be forgotten.
May the Creator guide her as she moves on to the next steps of her own eternal journey.
Contrary to what the rightwing bloggers are saying yesterday was the darkest day of the pandemic for Americans, so far. I am afraid for days to come...
I am, too.
Philamena Belone was a remarkable teacher, and stayed in touch with her students until she died. Her brother was on CNN this morning and the interview was, for me, more emotional than most.
To quote a line from the movie And the Band Played On , "This didn't have to happen. We could have stopped it." The same premise applies now. But I suppose that bilking supporters out of money by pushing baseless voter fraud accusations was more important than the nearly 4,000 people who died yesterday.
Thank you for your comment.
Thanks for posting this article, Sister.
The Navajo Nation is being devastated by the virus and sadly she is another victim.
May her ancestors guide her on the path of souls.
Getting tested is a problem. Getting treated is a problem. It's almost like, and I hate to say it, but even getting noticed is a problem. But I honestly think that will change on January 20th, 2021. Too late for many, but just in time for some, we can hope.
SMAAB - that January date is totally meaningless with COVID. It doesn't care who/what the governmental administration is in office.
To me, the largest issue is within the states - an entity that the Tribes/Nations really don't have a playing field with.
The Feds (please excuse this minor rant) allocated .004% funding for the pandemic and its effects for a peoples who make up 1.8% of the U.S. population - $8B out of $2.1T. How in the hell is that going to help 576 Federally Recognized Tribes/Nations who are presently suffering 5 times more the impact of COVID than the rest of the U.S. population??? The Feds gave/allocated the funds to the states for distribution and . . . . . same ol' story - same ol' dance.
After all, we're now "something else/other" - what a hell of a designation for the 1st peoples on this land. We are the "Invisible Ethnicity" that no one talks about - regardless of who is in office.
I know the virus doesn't care. But we'll have someone in the White House who does. The one that's there now doesn't give even the smallest of shits.
We are the "Invisible Ethnicity" that no one talks about - regardless of who is in office.
I think Biden will be different. If he isn't, then we keep making a big hairy stink until he figures it out...and not just about the pandemic, but about many issues that First Nation peoples face. After the last election, there is more First Nation political representation than ever before. I have hope that these things combined will make a difference.
I realize that my piddlin' contributions might seem pointless. You and I have had discussions about having 'skin in the game' before, and perhaps you are right. Who the hell am I and what in the hell would I know about it? But that hasn't stopped me from making piddlin' contributions.
Thank you Sister. As my wife is a teacher and spends 12 - 16 hours a day, including Sat/Sun, teaching, prepping, distributing through the Media, and answering the phone almost constantly with the students, this hits pretty close to home.
We have had to shut down all the personal attendance at all the schools here. Virtual learning is a huge pain, but it has to be done. At least once or twice a week, an employee at one of the schools in town tests positive and the restrictions get tighter.
Not a lot of folks truly see nor understand the burden teachers take on their shoulders. Philamena is definitely one of the unsung heroes of this unseen spirit walking in smoke and mirrors and she was a fighter, one her students/peers/family will remember with much positive memories.
May your path be continued Philamena by all the warriors you've helped.
Tell her I said thanks for all she is doing. When this mess is over, or at least under control, I hope she, and all teachers who have been lucky enough to survive this pandemic, get a worthwhile raise.
In the state of NM??? Ain't gonna happen, but totally agree with you.
My wife is a principal at an elementary school, and this is her first year in that position. Prior to the pandemic she held an administrative position in the school system for years, where she had little to no interaction with students. She decided she missed the student interaction so she went back into the schools as an assistant principal, and was promoted to principal last year. Great timing, huh? It’s about 95% virtual at the moment, but the plan is to go to a hybrid model in January. It scares the crap out of me. My uncle just died of COVID last week.
Very sorry to hear about your uncle, Hal.
Ditto, Hal.
sincerest condolences.
I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, Hal.
What they
said, Hal. 
I appreciate all the kind words, but in all honesty I should mention that we haven’t been close for the last 40 years or so. I wish my extended family on both sides were close, but they just aren’t - not a one of them. As an example, a few years ago I was talking to dad about my uncle, and I asked how my aunt (his wife) was doing. Dad says “oh, she died two years ago”. So yeah, my family is sorely lacking in the communications department, Lol. As another example, I found out about my uncle from my brother - because he said dad lost my email address. Apparently it did not occur to him to pull out the flip phone and just call me. I could write a whole article about this issue ... but I’d probably do better to just make an appointment with a therapist.
She was so young! This didn't have to happen.
My condolences to her family and her students
Navajo Nation Surpasses 20,000 Covid-19 Cases; Leaders Stress Continued Caution