Bookings: Contact Brian
Brian@kirklandproductions.com
866-769-9037
Keynotes
Safe and Sound Schools® offers a wide range of keynotes to meet the unique needs of your event. Browse our catalog of keynotes below. To view our catalog by speaker, click here. In addition, we can tailor content to fit your event. To coordinate an event, please contact Brian of Kirkland Productions.
Keynotes
A Collaborative Approach to School Safety
Presenter: Michele Gay
Michele shares Safe and Sound’s mission and model for a Collaborative Approach to School Safety. This presentation is aimed at a multi-disciplinary audience of educators, administrators, school resource officers, mental health professionals and school staff, as well as parent, student, and community representatives. Michele will share tools, resources, and programs aimed at bringing all stakeholders in the school community together for a holistic and comprehensive approach to school safety.
Active Safety in Schools and Beyond
Presented by Jin Kim
This 75 – 90 minute presentation will provide school administrators, faculty, and staff, a comprehensive awareness of active shooter incidents and targeted violence in schools and focuses on providing best practices and guidance for providing a safe and secure educational environment. Realistic and tangible solutions in mitigating the effects of acute and dynamic violence in a school will be discussed and offered.
Active Shooter Survival Strategies
Presented by Jin Kim
This 75 – 90 minute presentation provides a general awareness and current outlook on active shooter and targeted violence attacks in the United States. With a comprehensive foundation in understanding survival controls, the presentation focuses on individual survival concepts, techniques, and best practices that can be applied every day in a variety of settings, including and beyond the school setting
Beyond Tragedy: Response and Recovery Following a School-Based Crisis
Presented by Michele Gay or Alissa Parker
Time: 1-2 hours depending on requests
This presentation is a personal perspective on the Sandy Hook School response and recovery efforts, as told by Safe and Sound Co-Founders, Alissa Parker and Michele Gay. Based on the mothers’ own experiences, those of victims, survivors, first responders, community leaders, educators, families, and children in the Sandy Hook and Newtown community, the challenges, successes, and lessons learned in the aftermath of tragedy and loss are revealed to better prepare other school communities to respond and recover from emergencies, crisis, and disaster. Alissa and Michele share insights on emergency notification, communication, death notification, protection of victims and victims’ families, mental health needs and services, media management, and financial considerations, as well as other issues surrounding the response and recovery efforts within Sandy Hook and Newtown.
Bullying and Suicide: Keys to Prevention and Resiliency
Presenter: Dr. Scott Poland
Bullying in schools is a national issue and a number of media reports have attributed youth suicide to victimization. This presentation will help school personnel and community agencies develop comprehensive suicide and bullying prevention programs. Participants will learn effective strategies to build resiliency for children in today’s world. Participants will learn to identify protective and resiliency factors for school age youth; develop a comprehensive best practices model for suicide prevention, plan for intervention and postvention in the school and community, explore best practices for bullying prevention and the complex relationship between bullying and suicide.
Choosing Love
Presenter: Scarlett Lewis
Time: 1-3 hours depending on needs
Scarlett reveals a simple formula for choosing love and then how this formula can be used in almost any circumstance to promote self-empowerment, resilience, connection and optimism. Scarlett discusses her journey and describes how Jesse’s message has taught her to embracing a deeper meaning of gratitude, forgiveness and compassion. Scarlett describes:
- Using a formula for choosing love in any situation
- Facing the impossible
- Finding courage when you think you have none
- Cultivating faith instead of fear
- Choosing a loving thought over an angry one
- The power of choice
- The physical, mental and emotional benefits of choosing love
- The neuroscience and brain research behind choosing love
Columbine Twenty Years Later and Beyond: What Have We Learned?
Presenter: Jackie Schildkraut
The events of April 20, 1999 forever changed American culture and perceptions of safety in schools. Now, 20 years later, many lessons have been learned from the Columbine shooting that have helped to save lives; at the same time, however, there still is more work to be done. In this session, we consider how Columbine reshaped the narrative about school safety and security, as well as the long-term implications of such a discussion. Issues such as law enforcement responses, threat assessment, and school securitization also will be considered
Community Engagement 2.0: A Whole Community Approach to Educating Children
Presenter: Dr. CJ Huff
Time: 1 hour keynote or 3-hour workshop
Dr. Huff will share an inspirational message of hope and provide proven strategies to engage your school community’s “time, talent and treasure” to:
- Create integrated systems of community support to meet any child’s needs within 24 hours
- Grow circles of influence to build community leadership and resource capacity
- Give kids a chance to give back to their community in an intentional effort to grow a generation of children who clearly understand the ideal of service above self.
Our noble purpose as educators is not about test scores and should not be impacted by the politics of our time. Our noble purpose begins with good people coming together, finding common ground in our children, and working together to create new opportunities for children today that didn’t exist yesterday.
Audience: All
*This presentation can also be a 3-hour interactive workshop
Crisis Happens: Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Presenter: Dr. CJ Huff
Time: 1-hour
Crisis happens. In this keynote, Dr. Huff highlights lessons learned that are applicable to not just natural disasters, but also day-to-day crisis that often have devastating impacts on organizations. His key points highlight leadership examples and provide clear strategies around lessons learned regarding internal/external communications, development of pre-need relationships as well as effective leadership behaviors and leader self-care that are applicable to any challenge. This keynote is designed for today’s modern leader interested in creating a better prepared and more resilient leadership team and organization.
Audience: Leaders and Aspiring Leaders
Emergency Preparedness Tabletop Exercise
Presenter: Paul Timm, PSP
Time: 1-hour keynote to half-day workshop depending on requests
During any emergency, it is important to be able to draw from all available resources. The special skills, training and capabilities of staff will play a vital role in coping with the effects of any disaster, and they will be of paramount importance during and after a major event. Participants in this train-the-trainer session will be placed in tabletop teams and be assigned specific roles (e.g. spokesperson, scribe, stakeholder). Once the rules are explained and the emergency scenario is introduced, participants will have facilitated and timed discussions with Q&A time among their teams. Each team will then share specific responses as the scenario unfolds. Lessons learned from K-12 incidents and other resources will be shared.
From Tragedy to Triumph: The Joplin Schools Story
Presenter: Dr. CJ Huff
May 22, 2011—it was graduation day for over 400 seniors at Joplin High School. A day of great celebration. But Mother Nature had other plans. At 5:41pm a deadly EF-5 tornado touched down on the west side of Joplin destroying everything in its path. In times of crisis, real leaders step up. In this keynote Dr. Huff will provide a detailed accounting of the response and recovery of Joplin Schools following the most costly tornado in US History. His emotional and inspirational message highlights the importance of community-wide leadership, teamwork and a consistent focus on what’s best for children – no matter what.
Audience: All
Keys to Providing a Safe Learning Environment
Presenter: Paul Timm, PSP
Time: 1-hour keynote to half-day workshop depending on requests
An effective school security program depends on more than just the state-mandated crisis management plan. How can you make sure your school is effectively addressing areas of vulnerability? This presentation will provide you with the tools you need to proactively and holistically approach school safety and security. Special focus will be placed on Collaboration, Awareness and Student Involvement. From train-the-trainer style quizzes to photographic vulnerability identification, attendees will benefit from an interactive environment. Attendees will learn how to address common security issues, implement site-specific strategies and access helpful resources
Leadership Lessons from Columbine and Beyond
Presented by Frank DeAngelis
Time: 1-3 hours depending on requests
“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.”
The tragedy at Columbine redefined the nation. Frank DeAngelis tells his story from the events through the aftermath. This presentation reveals the leadership lessons he learned in the focus of an international firestorm. Frank’s honest, straight-forward account provides invaluable insights into managing the after-crisis with students, staff members, community members and never-ending media attention. A positive attitude and a passion for his job, allowed him to work at Columbine from 1979 to 2014. He shares how he was able to build a community that worked together for his kids; the students at Columbine High School. The takeaways from this presentation should be required reading for every leader in the nation.
Lessons from a Virginia Tech Survivor
Presenter: Lisa Hamp
Time: 1 to 1.5 hours depending on requests
Lisa Hamp shares her personal story during the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, as well as her recovery afterwards. She describes how her class built a barricade to prevent the shooter from entering their classroom, as well as her struggle to return to a “normal’ life during the weeks, months, and years that followed. She explains what made her eventually seek counseling after eight years and a variety of hard, but powerful lessons she has learned since that tragic day. Through her raw and emotional presentation, she provides a survivor’s perspective on experiencing and recovering from a school shooting.
No Higher Calling
Presenter: John McDonald
Time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on requests
Law enforcement and educators alike share a common bond and belief that protecting our most precious resource–our children– is the greatest of responsibilities. Breaking down silos and a willingness to have difficult conversations today is the difference in success or failure of tomorrow’s crisis. This presentation shares proven and successful strategies that will create a climate and culture of safety and quality education.
Parenting in a Challenging World
Presenter: Dr. Scott Poland
Children today live in a very fast paced world and are exposed to many things at an early age. Dr. Poland has over 30 years’ experience working with children and schools on a daily basis and in the aftermath of many tragedies, including Columbine. Parents need training and support to build resiliency in their children for times of challenge and hardship in childhood. This presentation will help parents recognize at-risk behaviors and bully behaviors in their own children and others, and will include practical examples of parenting children of all ages. Participants will learn how to recognize and reduce bully behaviors and how to best support children targeted by bullying.
Raising Awareness: Moving from a Mayberry Mentality to a "See Something, Say Something Culture"
Presenter: Paul Timm, PSP
Time: 1-2 hours (keynote or workshop)
The “it can’t happen here” mindset is both incorrect and potentially debilitating from a loss prevention and emergency preparedness standpoint. How can schools effectively change the culture without scaring teachers and staff into submission? This highly interactive and practical presentation will equip attendees with a variety of ways to heighten safety awareness. Attendees will also benefit from the latest reporting methods. From engaging photo identification and video exercises to positive reinforcement and appropriate student involvement, don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to lead individuals to personally invest in making the learning environment safer!
Resiliency in the Aftermath
Presenter: Natalie Hammond
Natalie taught third grade at Sandy Hook Elementary for thirteen years before becoming the Lead Teacher in the building. In a morning meeting on December 14, 2012, she heard alarming sounds outside of the main office. She, along with the Principal and School Psychologist, confronted the unknown. Although wounded multiple times during the attack, Natalie survived her injuries. She now serves as Principal in a PreK-4 elementary school in Connecticut. Since the tragedy, she works with groups around the country to discuss resiliency in the face of adversity and the importance of communication and collaboration when developing safety plans.
Reunification at Sandy Hook: Reuniting Families In the Aftermath of a School Crisis
Presented by Michele Gay
Michele Gay shares personal experiences and professional perspective on reunifying a school community in the aftermath of crisis. As an educator and Sandy Hook parent, Michele shares lessons learned and examines current reunification practices, models, and resources to better prepare attendees for reunification planning and implementation in their school communities.
School Safety: A Parent’s Perspective
Presented by Michele Gay or Alissa Parker
Time: 1-2 hours depending on requests
Michele tells her personal story and recounts the lessons she learned on December 14, 2012 and in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook School tragedy. She shares the inspiring way she has chosen to help school communities improve school safety in honor of her daughter, Josephine, and memory of the other 19 children and six teachers lost on December 14, 2012. Michele’s perspective, as the mother of a special-needs child and former elementary school teacher, provides unique insight and inspiration for parents, administrators, school staff, emergency responders and community members who strive to make their schools safer. Michele Gay and the Safe and Sound foundation bring an important message to our communities, and represent a powerful presence in our national school safety community.
OR
Alissa tells her personal story and recounts the lessons she learned on December 14, 2012 and across the aftermath of the Sandy Hook School tragedy. She shares the inspiring way she has chosen to help school communities improve school safety in honor of her daughter, Emilie, and in memory of the other 19 children and six teachers lost on December 14, 2012. Alissa’s perspective as a parent provides unique insight and inspiration for parents, administrators, school staff, emergency responders, and community members who strive to make their schools safer.
School Safety and Securitization in an Age of Mass Shooting
Presenter: Jackie Schildkraut
In the aftermath of high-profile school shootings including Columbine, Sandy Hook, and most recently Parkland, school security continues to be a booming industry, with expenditures topping $2.7 billion in 2017 alone. In this session, we will provide a brief historical overview of school and mass shootings in the U.S., then examine security-based responses to such events. The perceived versus real effectiveness of varying technologies offered in response to episodes of mass violence, such as metal detectors, bulletproof products, and armed security personnel, also will be explored.
School Safety: Students First
This program is offered by these Safe and Sound speakers: Michele Gay, Alissa Parker, Frank DeAngelis, CJ Huff, Lisa Hamp, and Dr. Amanda Nickerson
This presentation, offered by several of our speakers and educators, is designed with students in mind. On our website, we offer a complimentary download of our Safe and Sound Youth Council Kit. This guide is designed to help 6th – 12th grade students, their parents, and their advisors take the first steps toward being a proactive part of the their school’s safety plan. For those schools and school districts who want to take the extra step, Safe and Sound Schools offers speakers who can assist in guidance and implementation, help launch the program, lead site walk-throughs, and ensure that you have all of the tools you need to institute safe school principles for all students. Each program is customized to the unique needs of that school’s community. Our presenters share their personal stories followed by a powerful call to action directing the youth of our nation to step up for school safety. As leaders and problem-solvers in their own right, our next generation is essential to our mission: safe and sound schools for all.
Stop Justifying and Believe the Threat
Presenter: John McDonald
Time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on requests
Learn how the school district of Columbine High School has learned through tragedy and resiliency to manage both internal and external threats in the 21st century. As education has had to adapt to the millennial learners so too have the principles and strategies surrounding threat management changed to reflect a growing trend of violence impacting our schools by today’s student.
Strategies for Preventing School Violence and Bullying Abuse In Schools Understanding and Preventing Bullying Abuse
Presented by Amanda Nickerson, Ph.D., NCSP
Dr. Amanda Nickerson presents the myriad issues and presentations of bullying in today’s schools and explores their impact upon students’ learning and sense of safety in school today. She shares practical solutions, interventions, and strategies, and resources for identifying and combating these challenges to promote a safe school climate.
The World Isn’t a Scary Place...But it is Uncertain
Presenter: John McDonald
Time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on requests
Nationally recognized school safety leader John McDonald is known for developing the post Columbine security program recognized by the White House following the Sandy Hook tragedy as a model school safety program. His work on the front lines of school safety has included managing ongoing threats to Columbine HS, leading the District through the 2nd Deer Creek Middle School shooting, the kidnapping and homicide of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway while walking to school and the tragic suicide of a student who set himself on fire at school in front of more than 200 classmates.
John’s presentation will discuss the challenges of being a responder and the impact of loss, trauma and the challenges of responsibility when even the responders assumptions are shattered.
Three Keys to Effective School Security
Presenter: Paul Timm, PSP
An effective school security program depends on more than just the state-mandated crisis management plan. How can you make sure your school is effectively addressing areas of vulnerability? This presentation will provide you with the tools you need to proactively and holistically approach school safety and security. Special focus will be placed on Collaboration, Awareness and Student Involvement. From train-the-trainer style quizzes to photographic vulnerability identification, attendees will benefit from an interactive environment. Attendees will learn how to address common security issues, implement site-specific strategies and access helpful resources.
Tragedy at Sandy Hook: A Law Enforcement Perspective and Lessons Learned
Time: 90-minute keynote (up to 8-hour training)
On December 14th, 2012 twenty 1st graders and six staff members at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT were tragically killed during an Active Shooter event. Since then, the number of Active Shooter events continues to rise and the number of victims also gets higher and higher as the shooters learn from each event. Although tactical training for 1st Responders has also increased and numerous states now require annual practice of school emergency response plans, there often remains a significant gap of time before law enforcement arrives and the threat is located and stopped. Therefore, it is critical that these valuable seconds be minimized, so we must figure out how to Shave Seconds to Save Lives!©
In addition to those critical life saving measures, there are numerous other invaluable Lessons Learned, both short term and long term, from the Sandy Hook School Shooting. It is imperative that law enforcement squeezes every ounce of experience out of this tragic event in an effort to continuously improve our response concerning managing the scene, managing our people, conducting the investigation and supporting the victims and their families. For this reason, Team Training Associates’ Dan Jewiss, who was the Lead Investigator for the Sandy Hook School Shooting, travels the country to share his personal law enforcement perspective and Lessons Learned. Due to the vast number of Lessons Learned, Dan tailors much of his presentation to the make-up of the audience.
You Will Fail Because You Are Not Good Enough (And Other Words of Inspiration)
Presenter: Scott Ervin
Time: 20-25 minutes
This speech is perfect as a commencement address or motivational message for high school or college students. The message is that failure is a guaranteed part of success for any worthwhile endeavor. The awareness of this guarantee can help the child or young adult to handle it in stride. The tools contained in this speech allow them to use failure to create success.
Consultations and Panels
Creating a Practical and Understandable All Hazards Plan
Presenter: John Baker
Time: Self-paced
This consulting service takes you through the process of satisfying the PA School Code requirement to create and AHP consistent with PEMA models. PEMA has done an excellent job at providing a free toolkit but if you are not familiar with this process, it can be time-consuming and intimidating. The goal of the consultant is to guide your team into customizing an AHP that works for you and meets School Code requirements in understandable terms. This service is self-paced and based on your team’s ability to dedicate resources and time.
Ideal Audience includes: administrators, human resources, business managers, school boards, teachers and specialist involved in parental/guardian meetings.
Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions with Alissa Parker
Presenter: Alissa Parker
Alissa offers Q and A sessions following her keynotes or as a separate session. She is also available for panel discussions. As these formats are more organic and highly individualized, Alissa is available to discuss and plan for these types of sessions directly with clients.
Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions with Dr. Melissa Reeves
Presenter: Dr. Melissa Reeves
Dr. Melissa Reeves is available for panel events and discussions and presents on many other topics including Threat Assessment Management, PTSD in school-aged children, Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Grief, Loss, and Mourning, Bi-Polar and Depressive Disorders in School-Aged Children, and more. If you are interested in a specific topic, please inquire.
Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions with Frank DeAngelis
Presenter: Frank DeAngelis
Frank offers Q and A sessions following his keynotes or as a separate session. Frank is also available for panel discussions. As these formats are more organic and highly individualized, Frank is available to discuss and plan for these types of sessions directly with clients.
Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions with Lisa Hamp
Presenter: Lisa Hamp
Lisa offers Q and A sessions following her presentation or as a separate session. She is also available for panel discussions. As these formats are more organic and highly individualized, Lisa prefers to discuss and plan for these types of sessions directly with clients.
Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions with Michele Gay
Presenter: Michele Gay
Michele offers Q and A sessions following her keynotes or as a separate session. She is also available for panel discussions. As these formats are more organic and highly individualized, Michele prefers to discuss and plan for these types of sessions directly with clients.
