School Safety Today

In this episode of School Safety Today, a podcast presented by Raptor Technologies, Eisha Buch, Head of Teaching and Learning at Common Sense Media, joins host Dr. Amy Grosso to discuss how students are using AI and what schools and families need to understand about its growing role in young people’s lives. The conversation emphasizes why AI literacy must go beyond teaching students how to use tec...

In this episode of School Safety Today, a podcast presented by Raptor Technologies, Dr. Will Durgin joins host Dr. Amy Grosso to explore why effective bullying prevention requires more than a written policy. Drawing on his experience as a teacher, coach, and school and district administrator, Dr. Durgin discusses the importance of consistent reporting, investigations, communication, and interventi...

In this episode of Practitioners of Change, a podcast presented by Raptor Technologies, John Huber, Principal on Special Assignment at Brooklyn Center Community Schools, joins host Dr. Amy Grosso to share how his district is rethinking visitor management. From adapting VisitorSafe kiosks to fit different school entryways to developing mobile check-in stations for large events, John shares practica...

In this episode of Practitioners of Change, Dana Angelberger, a teacher at Oakdale Middle School, and Tricia Brdecka, an assistant principal at Urbana Middle School, join host Dr. Amy Grosso to share how SmartPass has changed student movement in their schools. They discuss how better visibility and data can reduce time out of class, support student needs, improve hallway accountability, and give e...

In this episode of Practitioners of Change, Dana Angelberger, a teacher at Oakdale Middle School, and Tricia Brdecka, an assistant principal at Urbana Middle School, join host Dr. Amy Grosso to share how SmartPass has changed student movement in their schools. They discuss how better visibility and data can reduce time out of class, support student needs, improve hallway accountability, and give e...

In this episode of School Safety Today, Chris and Martha Thomas, co-founders of The Defensive Line, join host Dr. Amy Grosso to explore how suicide prevention can move beyond awareness and crisis response. They discuss the importance of everyday conversations, connection, compassionate listening, and creating communities where young people feel seen and supported. The conversation reinforces a hop...

In this episode of Principles of Change, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso is joined by Dr. Emily Dunker, Assistant Principal at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, to explore an often-overlooked part of school safety: preparing substitute teachers for emergencies. Drawing on her own experience as a substitute teacher and her doctoral research on substitute emergency preparednes...

In this episode of School Safety Today, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso is joined by Rachel Freeman, Executive Director of Safety and Security for Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, to discuss what it takes to prepare for a safe and successful school year. From summer training and emergency preparedness to visitor management and threat assessment, Rachel shares how strong systems...

In this episode of Principles of Change, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso is joined by former assistant principal Brandie Parks to explore how campus leaders set the tone for the entire school year during the critical first 30 days. Drawing on her experience in criminal justice, child protective services, teaching, and school administration, Brandie shares why the strongest sc...

In this episode of School Safety Today, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Jackson Erdos—American Ninja Warrior competitor, coach, and mental health advocate—about the mental health challenges student athletes face. Drawing from his own experiences, Jackson shares how competition, identity, and vulnerability intersect, highlighting why open conversations, strong supp...

In this episode of the Principles of Change podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Lynda Garinger, principal of Hopewell Middle School in Round Rock, Texas, to explore what school safety looks like throughout the entire school day. Their conversation examines the routines, systems, and relationships that support a safe learning environment. KEY POINTS: 1. Sch...

In this episode, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Alejandra Monroy, Prevention Program Manager for Outreach and Prevention at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), about the realities of internet safety and how adults can better support children navigating online spaces. The conversation emphasizes that online safety is not achieved through rules and parental controls alon...

In this episode of the Principles of Change podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso talks with Marie-Pier Ingraham, principal of Good Shepherd Catholic School in Maryland. The conversation explores how schools can create environments where students feel genuinely safe, supported, and known through strong relationships, emotional well-being, and meaningful family partnerships...

In this episode, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Elisa Mula, founder and CEO of EM Designs, about the realities of grant funding for school safety and how schools can better position themselves to secure critical resources. The conversation highlights that school safety funding should be approached as part of an ongoing security effort, with schools continuously evaluating risks, leveraging free r...

In this episode of the Principles of Change podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso talks with Tim Dykes, Assistant Principal for Culture and Climate at York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. The conversation highlights how strong relationships, student voice, and steady long-term leadership can help schools build environments where people feel safe and want to be. KEY POIN...

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Chris Noell, Chief Product Officer at Raptor Technologies, and Will Durgin, Director of Student Well-Being, about the vision behind StudentSafe and how it helps schools move from reactive responses to proactive student support. Together, they emphasize that safer schools depend on giving staff the tools to identify patterns ea...

On Principles of Change, a podcast by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Dr. Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, Texas, to explore how one rural district is redefining school safety through culture, systems, and human connection. Together, they unpack how proactive frameworks, community values, and intentional relationship-building can transform scho...

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 accountabi...

School Safety Today podcast , presented by Raptor Technologies . In this episode of Principals of Change, hos t 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 imp...

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,...

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 tha...

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...

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 anal...

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 S...

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 star...