Ritchie Honors Indian River Teacher WITH Liberty Award

Earth Science Teacher Recognized for Heroic Actions

State Senator Patty Ritchie honored Indian River High School teacher Robert Kuba with the New York State Senate Liberty Award today for his heroic actions earlier this month. 

Mr. Kuba put the safety of his students ahead of his own when he intervened to take away a loaded rifle that was brought into his classroom and detain a student until police arrived.

“Many people think the job of a teacher is just to teach, but as we’ve seen with this incident, it’s much more than that,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Mr. Kuba remained calm and helped avert a tragedy. We’re so thankful for the quick thinking and courage Mr. Kuba exhibited that day and by presenting him with the New York State Senate Liberty Award we can say thank you for his heroic actions.”

The New York State Senate Liberty Award is one of the highest civilian honors a New Yorker can receive.  Similar to the national Congressional Gold Medal, the award is given to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic or humanitarian acts and achievement on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers.

(Pictured in theabove photo are Senator Ritchie, Robert Kuba, Indian River High School Principal Troy Decker and School Resource Officer Carrie Mangino)