Courtesy Santa Fe Public Schools
Susan Greig worked at Milagro Middle School for five years, as dean of students and later, assistant principal.
When Milagro Middle School’s students returned to class Tuesday morning, teachers and students leaned on each other for support as news of the death of former assistant principal Susan Greig spread. She was killed in a fatal car accident in Rio Grande County, Colo., during the weekend. The school's STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teacher, Mark Waugh, was in the car with Greig and sustained injuries as well.
“She was a strong-willed individual. She was a risk-taker, and she made a huge impact on some of our kids and teachers,” Milagro Principal Georgia Baca says of Greig, who worked for the school for five years. “She really cared about all of the kids and would do whatever she could to have the kids get a better outcome…she did a lot of restorative practices and tried to get at the kids’ hearts.”
Santa Fe Public Schools informed families of Greig’s passing via Remind and Facebook on Monday morning, and spoke with students in the classroom Tuesday. Staff from the district’s Office of Student Wellness and the local social services organization Gerard’s House were on campus Tuesday to offer additional support to students and staff. Before the school day began, teachers at Milagro gathered for a support session as well.
“Kids today were sharing, like, ‘She was awesome as a teacher,’ that they loved her—she made an influence and an impact on them in the classroom,” Baca says.
One student, Baca says, shared that Greig had once used her experience in sewing to help him sew a costume for the school’s annual Recycled Fashion Show.
“Today he sat with me and he said, ‘You know what, Ms. Baca…I'm going to make her proud, and I'm going to win this year,” Baca says. “It was actually a beautiful celebration today with some of the kids, just to hear what an impact she had. [Greig and I] talked on a daily basis about how we only have [students] for two years, and we're not going to give up on them.”
Greig was killed while traveling to Colorado for the long weekend with Waugh. SFR confirmed the accident occurred near Monte Vista, Colo., where Greig’s remains are in the care of the Mountain Valley Mortuary and the Rio Grande County Coroner. As of publishing time, the Colorado State Patrol has not provided SFR details or a report on the accident.
Waugh was injured in the accident, and had to be flown to a hospital in Colorado Springs because he “sustained injuries that needed a facility that could handle that,” according to Baca. She has been receiving updates on Waugh’s condition from his daughter.
“He had his first of—what I heard—are several surgeries that are supposed to happen, last night,” Baca says.
According to SFPS Public Information Officer Tara Melton, Milagro will provide two grief rooms where teachers, staff, parents and students “can gather to process the news of Greig's passing and Waugh's injury.”
Superintendent Hilario “Larry” Chavez describes the accident in a statement to SFR as “unfortunate and devastating.”
“The SFPS and Milagro family will miss Ms. Greig,” Chavez writes. “I ask our community to keep her family and our family in their thoughts as we grieve the loss. She was an integral part of the Reimagining process and truly was wanting the best for all SFPS students.”
To celebrate Greig’s life, Baca says she and other staff at the school are thinking of dedicating the school’s garden to her.
“We're just looking at ways to celebrate her life and celebrate what they've given to our community, our Milagro family,” Baca says. “We're looking to maybe get a really nice plaque and have a celebration of life around the garden…She's going to be missed.”
