The teacher killed in the school shooting in Bend, Ore., was a devoted early-career educator whose work at Silver Rail Elementary School was her “dream job,” her family said Friday.
Megan Lambert, 25, was one of four people who died in the same special education classroom in the shooting on Thursday. The others were children. One of them, Rhoam Summer, was a 5-year-old pupil. The others were 8 and 11, and they have not been named publicly.
A 7-year-old girl and 54-year-old teacher survived the shooting but were seriously injured, the authorities said.
Ms. Lambert’s family described her as a funny, opinionated woman who was passionate about teaching, coaching and her favorite sport, volleyball.
“She actually turned down pay for her first season as a coach, so families who couldn’t afford to participate could have the chance to play the sport she loved,” they said in a statement shared by the police on Friday. “Her goal was to be an educator and teach in the school district she loved.”
Ms. Lambert graduated from high school in the same district where she taught, her family said. But she had traveled, too, having attended college in Boise, Idaho, and ventured to Barcelona to teach English, according to her LinkedIn account.
Ms. Lambert “was compassionate and had a huge heart. She always fought for the underdog and those with special needs,” the family’s statement said.
Ms. Lambert and the three children were in a classroom just to the left of the doors where the teenage shooter entered the building. It was a special education classroom for children of varying ages, according to Steven Cook, the superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools.
Rhoam’s family was devastated by his death, according to Bryan Jolly, who said in an interview that he was the boy’s grandfather.
“The whole thing is senseless, and a shock,” said Mr. Jolly, who lives in Bend. “He was in my house a lot, and in my garden with me, and wrestling with me on the couch,” he added. “He was very bright and very mischievous and very fun-loving, and totally without fear.”
The 7-year-old girl who was wounded is now in “serious but stable” condition, said Chief Mike Krantz of the Bend Police Department.
Heidi Penington, a friend of the girl’s family, said in a phone interview that a teacher had tried to shield the girl, whom she described as giggly and a dog-lover. The family was not ready to share further details, Ms. Penington said.
Becky Drury, the teacher hurt in the shooting, has serious but non-life-threatening injuries, said a friend of the family, Zack Hall. Her husband, Will Drury, said in a statement relayed by Mr. Hall that the family was going through “an unimaginably difficult time.”
Livia Albeck-Ripka and Madison Malone Kircher contributed reporting.
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