School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews SRO Todd Brendel of Dayton Independent Schools (KY), who shares frontline insights on the importance of knowing where students and staff are throughout the school day. He explains how they manage student movement, visibility, and accountability, including the tools, processes, and technology they use to support safety.

KEY POINTS:

1. Monitoring campus movement can help reduce bullying, vandalism, vaping, and unsafe meetups.

2. Visibility into movement data helps staff identify patterns, monitor time out of class, and address concerning behaviors sooner.

3. Small operational decisions often have a greater impact than high-profile threat scenarios.

Our guest, Todd Brendel, is a veteran law enforcement leader and School Resource Officer (SRO) serving at Dayton Independent Schools in Dayton, Kentucky. He began his career in policing in 1990 and was among the first School Resource Officers in Kentucky in 1999. Over the course of his career, he served in patrol and leadership roles, and eventually as Police Chief before retiring in 2020.

Following his retirement, Brendel returned to school safety work and is now in his fourth year as an SRO at Dayton. He has also served as president of Kentucky’s SRO association and remains deeply committed to strengthening campus safety through practical systems, strong school culture, and thoughtful use of technology.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of Principals of Change, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with D’Jon Pitchford, Assistant Principal at Kelly Lane Middle School in Pflugerville ISD, to explore what school safety really means. Pitchford reframes safety as more than physical security—emphasizing trust, restorative practices, campus culture, and the importance of allowing both students and staff to be human. Through candid stories and practical leadership insights, the conversation highlights how belonging, consistency, and relationship-repair form the foundation of truly safe schools.

D’Jon Pitchford is an Assistant Principal at Kelly Lane Middle School in Pflugerville ISD, where he is deeply committed to creating safe, supportive, and relationship-centered school environments. His career in education began after early work with the Boys & Girls Clubs, where he developed a passion for early intervention and youth development. Pitchford has served in multiple roles across elementary and middle school settings. A former middle school science teacher and coach in football, basketball, and track, he brings both instructional and leadership perspectives to his work.

Key Points

1. School safety goes beyond locks and drills — students must feel safe, trusted, and supported to learn.

2. Restorative practices build accountability through relationships, not punishment alone.

3. Healthy campus culture starts with leaders modeling humanity, flexibility, and trust.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Dr. Penny Schultz, Assistant Director of School Safety and Security at Chesapeake Public Schools, to unpack the often-misunderstood role of School Resource Officers (SROs). The conversation highlights how effective SROs function not just as law enforcement, but as trusted partners embedded in school culture—supporting prevention, early intervention, and relationship-based safety practices across campuses.

KEY POINTS:

1. SROs are most effective when fully integrated into school culture, not just crisis response

2. Relationship-building and trust are central to prevention and early intervention

3. Strong collaboration between educators, administrators, and SROs improves campus safety

Our guest, Penny Schultz, is the Assistant Director of School Safety and Security for Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia. She brings a rare, cross-disciplinary perspective to school safety, having served as a police officer, classroom teacher, campus administrator, and district-level leader. Dr. Schultz is widely respected for her relationship-based, prevention-focused approach to campus safety, emphasizing collaboration among educators, School Resource Officers, mental health professionals, and community first responders. Her work centers on early intervention, trust-building with students and families, and embedding safety practices into the everyday culture of schools.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of Principals of Change, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Jeff Bryant, Principal of Jefferson Middle School, and David Sally, Associate Principal of West Aurora High School, to explore how effective school safety goes far beyond drills and locked doors. Drawing on decades of experience, both leaders emphasize that true safety is rooted in relationships, trust, and proactive communication across students, staff, families, and community partners. The conversation highlights how school safety must be embedded into daily culture, decision-making, and systems—especially as challenges evolve year to year.

KEY POINTS:

1. Students are more likely to speak up when they feel known, trusted, and supported.

2. Teaching, operations, and student services all share responsibility in keeping campuses safe.

3. Transparent communication with staff and families builds trust and reduces fear and misinformation.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Kelly Brickl, a trainer with SPEAK UP, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

During the conversation, Brickl shares data, real-world warning signs, and explains how age-appropriate, research-based prevention curricula can empower students to recognize unsafe situations, speak up, and protect themselves and their peers—both online and offline.

KEY POINTS:

1. Schools are in a place to identify early warning signs.

2. Changes in behavior, hygiene, isolation, or unexplained gifts should prompt concern.

3. Age-appropriate prevention training builds lifelong safety and advocacy skills.

Our guest, Kelly Brickl, is a dedicated advocate and educator with a passion for creating safer environments for children and communities across America. She has dedicated her career to advancing human rights, working with various nonprofit organizations both in the United States and internationally. Kelly has collaborated with national and local governments as well as NGOs to implement vital initiatives aimed at combating human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation. She designs and shares prevention curricula for K-12 schools nationwide, empowering students and educators with the tools to identify and prevent these issues. She has coordinated numerous high-level events in Congress and internationally, strengthening global collaborations in human rights efforts. Having lived and worked in Europe and Asia for 12 years, Kelly brings a unique global perspective.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews guest expert Will Durgin to discuss the newly released Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Report from the National Threat Assessment Center and Homeland Security. They explore how this report differs from previous NTAC publications—shifting from analyzing individual incidents to examining systemwide practices across more than 1,700 principals. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early identification of concerning behaviors, meaningful parent engagement, the necessity of consistent training, and the critical role of data collection in improving school safety practices. The episode underscores that threat assessment is not a discipline tool, but a preventive, intervention-focused process designed to keep students on a positive pathway.

KEY POINTS:

1. The new BTAM report shifts from analyzing individual incidents to examining systems and processes.

2. Schools need stronger structures for lower-level concerns, parent engagement, and ongoing training.

3. Data collection and consistent review are major improvement opportunities.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this special episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews several education and safety leaders live from the Raptor 2025 SchoolSAFE Conference. Rachael Freeman (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD), Jason Overbay (Sarasota County Schools), Marti Neahring (West Aurora School District), Dr. Penny Schultz (Chesapeake City Schools), and Todd Brendel (Dayton Schools, KY) share how the conference helps them manage the “messy” realities of school safety. They highlight the power of collaboration and networking with peers who truly understand their roles, the importance of relationship-based safety and the way high-quality training and keynotes renew their sense of hope and purpose. Across their stories, the Raptor SchoolSAFE Conference emerges as both a practical learning environment and an emotional reset, giving safety leaders fresh tools, trusted connections, and renewed energy to protect students and staff.

KEY POINTS:

• Collaborating and networking with colleagues committed to addressing the same school safety concerns,
• Learning about emerging trends and effective approaches to improving school safety.
• An inspiring experience that restores motivation, fosters hope, and strengthens your commitment to the work.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Adam Coughran, founder of Safe Kids, Inc., about how private and faith-based schools can strengthen safety practices despite limited resources.

KEY POINTS:

Physical systems, community engagement, and knowledge must work together for effective protection

Safety starts with everyday awareness, clear communication, and shared responsibility—not fear-based tactics

Private schools benefit from identifying knowledgeable partners, simplifying resources, and reframing safety as student wellness

Adam Coughran is an industry leader in safety and security training for schools, businesses, and organizations. Adam is a veteran of Southern California law enforcement who utilized his expertise to found Safe Kids Inc. in 2016. He’s been recognized as one of the “Go-To” experts for national media outlets, appearing on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, FOX’s Nancy Grace, HLN’s MichaeLA, CBS This Morning, and numerous live interviews in addition to being a contributing author to Newsweek Magazine.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today, Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Dr. Melissa Mariani to explore school bullying prevention strategies, highlighting whole-school approaches, early intervention, and the power of positive climate in creating safer learning environments.

KEY POINTS:

Bullying erodes both physical and emotional safety, affecting school and community culture.

Prevention, intervention, and post-vention require a whole-school, systemic approach.

Positive climate, early warning signs, and supportive adult relationships are critical.

Melissa Mariani, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education, specializing in School Counseling. Dr. Mariani’s research and scholarship focus on student success, school climate, school counseling interventions, outcome research, school safety and crisis response, and collaboration between higher education and K-12 institutions. Throughout her career, Dr. Mariani has served as a Project Manager for three Elementary and Secondary School Counseling grants, where she played a pivotal role in assisting various districts in the development, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive school counseling programs based on the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model. Dr. Mariani regularly provides professional development and training to school staff on a wide range of topics. Dr. Mariani is a lead researcher and national trainer for the Student Success Skills curriculum (www.studentsuccessskills.com) and co-developer of SSS for SEL Success. She also co-authored the book Facilitating Evidence-Based, Data-Driven School Counseling: A Manual for Practice.

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies.

In this episode of School Safety Today, Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Jana French of Crisis Text Line about the essential role the organization plays in supporting mental health, especially among students during the back-to-school season. They explore how Crisis Text Line empowers individuals to define their own crises, the impact of strategic school partnerships, and how to promote mental well-being in school communities. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about crisis services and highlights accessible tools for both individuals and institutions.

KEY POINTS:

• Crisis Text Line provides support to people in distress by allowing them to text 741741 for help.
• The individual determines what counts as a crisis, whether it's a breakup or a suicidal situation.
• Crisis Text Line partners with schools providing access to customized reports and resources.

Jana French is the Community Partnerships Director at Crisis Text Line, where she leads a team of 3 in building and managing strategic partnerships with community organizations, such as nonprofits, governments, and educational institutions. These critical partnerships assist Crisis Text Line in reaching more people who need mental health and crisis services, recruit new volunteers, and generate revenue for the organization. Jana also manages the organization's work with 988, the national suicide prevention hotline, ensuring compliance and coordination with federal and state agencies. With over 7 years of experience in nonprofit partnerships, Jana has a passion for creating social impact and improving mental health outcomes.