Sarah Poole, a circus educator at ENC, asked us to publish this response letter about the climate of support at ENC and the media attention that ENC is receiving in response to the charges against Marcelo Beri Marques.

My name is Sarah Poole, and I am an aerial teacher at the National Circus School in Montréal.  I have been a part of our community of learners, teachers, parents, creators, administrators, riggers, staffers, researchers and supporters for the past decade.  Our school was devastated to learn of the sex-related charges against one of our teachers last week, and further pained to learn that a former student was the alleged victim.   No child – no one – should ever have to live this kind of experience. Regrettably, this situation opened the door for the media to make unfortunate comments about our school.    I have the honor of representing the 80 teachers of the National Circus School on the Board of Directors, and as such, I wanted to communicate on behalf of our te...