Articles and Blogs
In this section, we have curated a collection of articles, blogs, and professional commentaries covering a broad range of safety and security topics. While many of these resources are specifically focused on school safety and security, others address principles and best practices that can be effectively applied within educational environments.
The contributors featured here are recognized leaders and subject matter experts from around the world who generously share their insights, experiences, and perspectives on issues they are passionate about. Their thought-provoking contributions are intended to inform, challenge, and inspire professionals dedicated to creating safer learning environments.
Our goal is to provide you with access to diverse viewpoints and emerging ideas, empowering you to make informed decisions and determine which strategies and approaches best align with your unique role and responsibilities.
The National Association of School Safety Officers (NASSO) extends its sincere appreciation to all contributors who have granted permission for us to share their work. Their continued collaboration, generosity, and commitment to advancing the profession through the free exchange of knowledge make this resource possible.
During a School Lockdown, One Unexpected Sound Can Make a Difference
By David Kelsey
Creator of SafeSchools Minute
I currently serve as a School Security Specialist in an elementary school setting, where I coordinate drills, reinforce procedures with staff, and support administrators during day to day safety situations.
One of the consistent challenges I observed was that staff often remembered major drill procedures, but were unsure how to respond to smaller real world scenarios involving hallway situations, exterior doors, student supervision, and other unexpected events.
To address this, I began sending brief weekly reminders to staff that could be read in under a minute. These short communications reinforced one practical procedure at a time using plain language and realistic scenarios.
That initiative became 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞™,a simple weekly safety reminder designed to support staff awareness between required drills while minimizing additional workload for administrators.
My goal is not to replace formal training, but to support schools in maintaining consistent safety awareness throughout, the school year.
In addition to my work in New Jersey schools, I have collaborated internationally by reviewing and providing recommendations on school lockdown training materials being developed for use in Ireland. This experience reinforced my belief that while procedures may vary, the principles of preparedness, awareness, and clear communication are universal.
I believe that creating a safer school environment is not about doing more. It is about consistently reinforcing the actions that matter most.
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Your substitute teacher is part of your safety plan.
Wendy Davison, CPP, CPD | Owner, Rocky Mountain Consulting
Wendy Davison is a former school administrator and the owner of Rocky Mountain Consulting, a school safety and security consulting firm specializing in proactive, behavior-based school safety and emergency preparedness. Drawing on her experience in educational leadership, Wendy works with schools and districts to strengthen prevention systems, conduct threat and vulnerability assessments, develop comprehensive emergency operations plans, and train educators and leadership teams in crisis prevention and response. Her work emphasizes practical, people-centered strategies that help schools build safer, more prepared learning environments.
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All rights to this article are protected by copyright law and are reserved exclusively by the author. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise used in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the author, except as permitted under applicable copyright laws. Ownership of all content, including text, images, and original materials, remains solely with the author.
Crisis Response in Schools: What Administrators Must Get Right Before the Moment Arrives
NEWSLETTER
The Governance Risk Brief
Executive insights on governance risk, oversight, and defensible decisions.
By Joseph (Paul) Manley
Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, Founder – Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC
Joseph (Paul) Manley is an Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, founder of Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC, and a board‑certified workplace violence and threat specialist. A retired police lieutenant with 35+ years of experience, he advises schools and organizations nationwide on prevention, early‑stage intervention, and defensible decision‑making.
Copyright Notice
All rights to this article are protected by copyright law and are reserved exclusively by the author. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise used in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the author, except as permitted under applicable copyright laws. Ownership of all content, including text, images, and original materials, remains solely with the author.
120+ Teen Slang Terms: 2026 Guide
Lost? Confused? Unable to understand your teens? Don’t worry; you’re in good company. Keeping up with teen slang is nearly impossible. New words are constantly being introduced, thanks to the influence of music, the internet, apps, and celebrities. You may feel overwhelmed and lost when listening to your children/grandchildren speaking, and this feeling only gets worse when you wade into the ways teens talk to each other online.
Use this guide as a reference for what’s widely popular right now in order to translate what teens are saying! And teen slang changes fast, so we add updates regularly—feel free to check back in!
The School Year Has Started: Are We Watching for Warning Signs - or Waiting for a Crisis?
NEWSLETTER
The Governance Risk Brief
Executive insights on governance risk, oversight, and defensible decisions.
By Joseph (Paul) Manley
Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, Founder – Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC
Joseph (Paul) Manley is an Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, founder of Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC, and a board‑certified workplace violence and threat specialist. A retired police lieutenant with 35+ years of experience, he advises schools and organizations nationwide on prevention, early‑stage intervention, and defensible decision ‑making.
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All rights to this article are protected by copyright law and are reserved exclusively by the author. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise used in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the author, except as permitted under applicable copyright laws. Ownership of all content, including text, images, and original materials, remains solely with the author.
Why School Safety Fails Before Crisis — And What Leaders Can Do About It
By Joseph (Paul) Manley
Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, Founder – Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC
Joseph (Paul) Manley is an Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, founder of Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC, and a board‑certified workplace violence and threat specialist. A retired police lieutenant with 35+ years of experience, he advises schools and organizations nationwide on prevention, early‑stage intervention, and defensible decision‑making.
Copyright Notice
All rights to this article are protected by copyright law and are reserved exclusively by the author. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise used in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the author, except as permitted under applicable copyright laws. Ownership of all content, including text, images, and original materials, remains solely with the author.
The Effects of Adolescent Development On Policing
From the International Association of Chiefs of Police
This brief which was developed with support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
The brief examines how adolescent brain development can influence decision-making, impulse control, risk-taking, and responses to authority. It provides valuable insight for law enforcement and school safety professionals working with youth, helping them better understand behavior and respond in developmentally appropriate ways.
NOTE: The link will connect you to the IACP page where you can download this informative brief!
Policing the Teen Brain
By Jeff Q Bostic, Lisa Thurau, Mona Potter, Stacy S Drury Published on PubMed Central
This article examines how adolescent brain development affects behavior, decision-making, and interactions with law enforcement. It demonstrates how understanding the developing teenage brain can help officers communicate more effectively, reduce unnecessary escalation, and improve interactions with youth.
By Max Schachter
National Keynote Speaker, Founder and Executive Director of Safe Schools For Alex
Max Schachter is a national school safety advocate. His youngest son Alex was one of the 17 innocent victims murdered in the Parkland School Shooting. Max is currently the executive director of Safe Schools for Alex (SSFA), the 501(c)(3) he formed after the tragedy. Safe Schools for Alex provides the most current school safety best practices and resources to students, parents, school districts and law enforcement so that all children can learn in a safe environment.
Since the heartbreaking day that changed Max’s life forever, he has been advocating for policy change at the highest levels of the United States government. He has worked alongside members of congress, leaders of all major federal agencies, and the President of the United States to make schools safer. Max testified as a subject matter expert before the Federal Commission on School Safety where he detailed the need for a federal agency to house national school safety best practices. In June 2019, Max’s vision became a reality when President Trump created the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse inside the Department of Homeland Security.
By Max Schachter
National Keynote Speaker, Founder and Executive Director of Safe Schools For Alex
Max Schachter is a national school safety advocate. His youngest son Alex was one of the 17 innocent victims murdered in the Parkland School Shooting. Max is currently the executive director of Safe Schools for Alex (SSFA), the 501(c)(3) he formed after the tragedy. Safe Schools for Alex provides the most current school safety best practices and resources to students, parents, school districts and law enforcement so that all children can learn in a safe environment.
Since the heartbreaking day that changed Max’s life forever, he has been advocating for policy change at the highest levels of the United States government. He has worked alongside members of congress, leaders of all major federal agencies, and the President of the United States to make schools safer. Max testified as a subject matter expert before the Federal Commission on School Safety where he detailed the need for a federal agency to house national school safety best practices. In June 2019, Max’s vision became a reality when President Trump created the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse inside the Department of Homeland Security.
Clarity Before Crisis™: Lessons from Critical Incident Stress Management and Peer Support
By Joseph (Paul) Manley
Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, Founder – Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC
Joseph (Paul) Manley is an Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, founder of Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC, and a board‑certified workplace violence and threat specialist. A retired police lieutenant with 35+ years of experience, he advises schools and organizations nationwide on prevention, early‑stage intervention, and defensible decision‑making.
Copyright Notice
All rights to this article are protected by copyright law and are reserved exclusively by the author. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise used in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the author, except as permitted under applicable copyright laws. Ownership of all content, including text, images, and original materials, remains solely with the author
A note from NASSO:
How this applies to schools:
In a school environment, early indicators may appear in both students and adults. Teachers may notice changes in classroom behavior, counselors may observe increasing emotional distress, School Safety Officers and School Resource Officers may identify concerning interactions, and administrators may recognize emerging patterns across multiple reports. When these observations are shared through established reporting processes and multidisciplinary teams, schools can often provide support and intervention before concerns escalate into a crisis.
𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲'𝐬 "𝐋𝐨𝐰-𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭" 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫!
By Stephen Bucheli Bayne, Ed.D.K-12 School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Consultant at Framework Synergy Solutions LLC Dr.
Stephen Bucheli Bayne brings 37 years of direct experience in K–12 school safety, security, and emergency management, grounded in a career spanning school law enforcement, risk management, and emergency preparedness within public education. For more than two decades, he has simultaneously led risk and emergency management functions in school districts, overseeing tort liability claims, coordinating litigation strategy with legal counsel, and implementing proactive risk reduction programs designed to mitigate exposure and strengthen defensibility.Throughout his career, Dr. Bayne has provided strategic leadership in developing policies, procedures, and training that enhance school safety operations. His experience includes managing and evaluating complex claims involving student and employee safety, premises liability, and standard of care, while working closely with school administrators, law enforcement, legal counsel, and emergency management partners.His work is defined by a practical, real-world approach to building comprehensive safety frameworks that align with the unique operational environment of K–12 education. He has led professional development initiatives and trainings focused on prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, ensuring school leaders are equipped to make informed decisions in real time.Dr. Bayne is widely recognized for bridging the gap between school operations and the legal expectations of reasonable professional conduct, bringing clarity, credibility, and experience to both consulting and expert witness engagements.
By JonathanM.Kaplan
MPA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmauricekaplan/Emergency Management Leader | AI for Emergency Management | Crisis Leadership | Organizational Resilience | Public Safety Executive | Preparedness • Response • Recovery • Training • Community ResilienceJonathan M. Kaplan, MPA, is a public safety and emergency management professional with nearly two decades of law enforcement experience.He is passionate about lifelong learning, leadership, school safety, emergency preparedness, and helping organizations build more resilient communities through education, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
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Reality vs Prediction of Reality
By Tony Sammon
Behaviour & Culture Consultant | Trainer | Coach | Helping Schools Build Relational and Developmental Practice
With nearly four decades in education, I help schools build calmer, more connected, and emotionally sustainable cultures where both staff and pupils can thrive. My work focuses on developing behaviour systems that are relational, developmental, and grounded in both humanity and high expectations.
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Parents: The Missing Layer of School Crisis Response
By Joseph (Paul) Manley
Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, Founder – Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC
Joseph (Paul) Manley is an Executive Behavioral Risk & Threat Assessment Advisor, founder of Risk Mitigation Technologies LLC, and a board‑certified workplace violence and threat specialist. A retired police lieutenant with 35+ years of experience, he advises schools and organizations nationwide on prevention, early‑stage intervention, and defensible decision‑making.
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Simple Steps to De-Escalate a Student
By 𝑳𝒊𝒛 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒐 M.A., M.A.T, M.Ed
MTSS Coordinator| SEL Strategist | Consultant |Turning Behavior Data into Human-Centered Support| Sherlock Holmes of Student Behavior 🔎 |Speaker | Get Curious, NOT Furious 💌 | Staff Well-Being Champion
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School Safety Cannot Be a Slogan
Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Professional
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
W. Todd Koogler is an Executive Leader in Public Safety & Emergency Management Strategic leader with over 35 years of experience in high-stress, multi-disciplinary environments spanning Emergency Medicine, Fire Protection, Law Enforcement, and Project Management.
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Risk Myopia
By Dr Junior Smart OBE, FCGI
Helping professionals understand and respond to child criminal exploitation, youth violence and safeguarding realities | Founder, Smart Training & Consultancy | OBE | Speaker
SMART Training and Consultancy
https://www.smarttc.co.uk/
Dr Junior Smart OBE is a youth violence intervention specialist, social entrepreneur, speaker and trainer with almost two decades of experience supporting children, families and communities affected by exploitation, gangs and serious violence. He is the founder of the SOS Project and Smart Training & Consultancy, and has advised government, policing, education and safeguarding bodies across the UK. His work combines lived experience, research and frontline practice to challenge assumptions and improve responses to vulnerable young people. Junior recently completed a Doctorate in Policing, Crime and Security, focusing on the experiences of families affected by County Lines exploitation.
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Emergencies Rarely Announce Their Arrivals
By John Waweru, RCrim, SRMP-C, SRMP-R
Senior Security & Risk Management Specialist | Investigation and Safety Expert | Law Enforcement | Safeguarding People, Assets & Operations
John Waweru, RCrim, SRMP-C, SRMP-R, is a Senior Security and Risk Management Specialist with expertise in security operations, investigations, emergency preparedness, risk management, crime prevention, and organizational resilience. He is passionate about helping organizations strengthen their security posture and build safer environments through proactive planning and effective risk mitigation strategies.
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Most emergency exits are ignored, until they're needed.
Security Supervisor | Hospitality & Corporate Security Professional | | CCTV Operations | Risk Assessment | Emergency Response | Loss Prevention | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Experience | Open to relocation
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Contextual Safeguarding In Schools
By Fay Malia-Wallwork
Assistant Headteacher @ Aegir School, Inspire Connected Communities Trust | SEND/ Specialist Provision | Team Teach Trainer
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Where do Students feel safest in School?
By CA Tarak Nath Shaw
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ca-tarak-nath-shaw-37407412/
Academic Intelligence II School Economics II Learning Visibility
CA Tarak Nath Shaw is an education governance thinker and entrepreneur working at the intersection of Academic Intelligence, school leadership, student well-being, institutional governance, and data-informed decision-making. He writes extensively on school transformation, educational leadership, school safety, governance, and the future of learning. His work focuses on helping educational institutions move beyond administrative reporting toward meaningful academic, pastoral, and governance intelligence that supports better outcomes for students and schools.
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The Most Overlooked Continuity Risk in Education Isn't Technology. It's People.
By Allen Edwards, MBA, CBCP, MEP
Transforming Emergency Preparedness for Schools & Businesses | CBRN Policy Expert @ JTF-CS | Founder, AJ Edwards Consulting & Hoover Veteran Fellow
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