Hero Noblesville Teacher: 'I Deeply Care For My Students'

NOBLESVILLE, IN — Just days after he was shot three times while protecting students during a shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, Jason Seaman — a teacher, coach, husband and father — addressed the media for the first time. During a press conference on Memorial Day, Seaman, a former Southern Illinois University football player, wore a T-shirt with his jersey number, 91, and the words "You are the reason I teach" along with the #NobStrong hashtag.

Seaman and a 13-year-old student identified as Ella Whistler were both shot multiple times after a gunman, identified as a male student of Noblesville West, opened fire at the school Friday morning.

Seaman, who underwent surgery Friday and was released from the hospital Saturday, has a wife and two children, a toddler son and 1-month-old daughter, his brother told IndyStar.

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"As a person who isn't looking for attention nor entirely comfortable with the situation I'm currently in, I want to make it clear that my actions on that day, in my mind, were the only acceptable actions I could have done given the situation," said Seaman, 29.

Students and parents said Seaman, despite being shot in the abdomen, hip and forearm, was able to stop the shooting before anyone was killed, swatting a gun from the shooter's hand. Since Friday, local officials, parents and community members have lauded Seaman, a seventh-grade chemistry teacher and football coach, as a hero.

"I deeply care for my students and their well-being," Seaman said Monday. "That is why I did what I did that day."

Seaman praised the Noblesville West community, crediting the staff with swiftly acting to protect students, and the kids with calmly and bravely following the safety procedures they'd learned.

He also thanked School Resource Officer Michael Steffen. Seaman said Steffen entered his classroom and was crucial in keeping Ella calm and alert while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

"I can't say enough how proud of Ella I am and how we all should be," Seaman said. "Her courage and strength at such a young age is nothing short of remarkable."

Seaman also thanked Jackson Ramey, who established a GoFundMe that as of Tuesday morning had raised more than $84,000 for the teacher and his family. "I cannot fathom how someone I have never met could do such an act of kindness and how the Noblesville community has been so generous in response to it," Seaman said.

"I can say with absolute certainty that I am proud to be a Miller," he said, referring to the Noblesville High School team name.

A GoFundMe established for Ella Whistler has also been successful, raising more than $42,000. Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, superintendent of Noblesville Schools, said Ella was making progress. "She's surrounded by a loving family, friends and a huge circle of well-wishers," she said.

Niedermeyer and Noblesville West Principal Stacey Swan also spoke during Monday's press conference.

Swan said the community will be forever changed by the events of last week. "Several people found their purpose on Friday, May 25, 2018," she said, calling Seaman "a hero, no doubt about it — but he is not the only hero I saw on that day."

Niedermeyer called the event a "horrific and senseless tragedy," praising students, staff and the community for their "tremendous kindness, strength and resilience."

Authorities said Seaman has no plans to do any individual interviews or further media appearances, at least for now.

Watch Seaman speak during Monday's press conference:

Photo of Jason Seaman via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner.