Leadership Lessons from Columbine and Beyond

Last year, former Columbine High School Principal and close friend of Safe and Sound Schools, Frank DeAngelis, penned Honor, Resilience, and Togetherness: Reflecting on 25 Years Since Columbine. In a piece that resonated deeply with the Columbine and extended school safety communities, it was a powerful reminder of the commitment to leadership that remains, even after a quarter century.

“In 2000, at the 1-year remembrance, I called for 'a time to remember, a time to hope.' Regardless of the years that have passed, this message remains the same. We must continue to remember, to hope, to heal, and we must continue the school safety advocacy work that so many of us have dedicated ourselves to.”

- Frank DeAngelis

As he does every morning, Frank will begin today by reciting the names of the “Beloved 13” – the 12 students and one teacher who died at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999:

Cassie Rene Bernall, Steven Curnow, Corey DePooter, Kelly Ann Fleming, Matthew Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Daniel Lee Rohrbough, William Dave Sanders, Rachel Joy Scott, Isaiah Emon Shoels, John Tomlin, Lauren Townsend, Kyle Albert Velasquez.

This act embodies the leader who has worked tirelessly to keep their memories alive and to support other leaders who have joined “the club nobody wants to be part of”.

Today, we pause to remember and honor their lives and legacies, alongside our friend.

Turning Pain into Purpose: Providing Leadership to Those in Need

In the decades since the Columbine tragedy, Frank’s influence has spread far beyond the Colorado community in his work as an advocate for comprehensive school safety, trauma-informed care, and mental health awareness. The 2024 recipient of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) lifetime achievement award, his dedication to supporting other leaders, is a testament to his deep belief that leadership is not just about guiding others—it is about taking care of oneself in order to better serve those who depend on you.

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst… A spark that creates extraordinary results.”

- Frank DeAngelis

Frank puts this teaching into practice through his work with the Principal Recovery Network, an organization of current and former principals who have experienced gun violence in their building. Together, they provide support and the wisdom of experience to colleagues beginning their own long version to healing after a crisis.

Additionally, as an exclusive member of the Safe and Sound Speakers Bureau Frank travels around the country sharing leadership lessons from Columbine and beyond, including his personal journey of processing grief, trauma, and the pressure that comes with leading a community through tragedy.

While none of his contributions to the conversation around effective school safety and crisis management can be underscored, Frank’s role in addressing leader self-care is incredibly profound. In a profession marked by high rates of burnout and stress, Frank encourages leaders everywhere to recognize they cannot pour from an empty cup, emphasizing self-care through moments of reflection, support from peers, and taking time to heal. All critical elements of sustaining the important work of serving students and staff.

Lessons in Leadership and Community

While tragedy can never be undone, we can look to build a better future based on Frank’s leadership lessons about heart, staying grounded in compassion, providing space for healing, and committing to your own well-being.

As we take time today, and every day, to remember the lives lost at Columbine, we also share the love, care, and responsibility of cultivating strong communities that Frank so openly shares with us all.