Educators Q&A: "Why be part of Safe to Learn?

Why Become Part of the Safe to Learn Community?

This page includes some of the reasons why several members of Safe to Learn Advisory Council, participants in the Pilot Project and Safe to Learn Authors became involved in the Safe to Learn Project

Safe to Learn Community: Lamar Consolidated Independent School District

"I became a part of the Safe to Learn Community because of my commitment to the safety and welfare of the students and staff of our school district."
~Trudy Harris

"Students are my number one priority and concern. While they are at school, I am their surrogate or stand-in parent. It is my responsibility to protect the students, like their own parents would, in any situation."~Rebecca Shultz

"Safety is the responsibility of all campus stakeholders, some must lead, some must follow, but all must participate to ensure campus success."
~Charles Spates

Learn more about the Safe to Learn Community Pilot Project at Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, Texas
LCISD Pilot Project Team | Safe to Learn Community Pilot Project | About the Pilot Project | LCISD Pilot Project Team Leader

Safe to Learn: Community Authors

"Experiences in life can serve as life-long lessons for others. The lessons I have learned as a result of my personal experience on September 11, 2001, and the ongoing journey, need to be shared with other educators and school leaders, who might gleam some insight leading to the safety and well being of those entrusted to us daily."~Ada Rosario Dolch
Principles for Principals – Leading the Way to School Safety | Leading the Way to School Safety | Reflections

"I became part of Safe to Learn, because I know our children are a treasure, are an extension of the greatest part of our selves, and are our future. We guard our national treasures here in the United States not with just one person or one team or one philosophy, but with all available, best resources. We must do the same for our greatest treasure - our children. Safe to Learn brings great experience and knowledge to the people who have the ability to use it best.~Dr. Cathy Anthofer-Fialon
The Best Response to Violence in Your School Is the Response which Never Has to Happen

"Life has surprises. When I put my clip art out on the internet for the world to see, I never really expected anyone would find it. Well, I have been surprised. And, since the art has been discovered, so many wonderful opportunities have come my way. The most recent surprise has brought me into the Safe to Learn Community, and I couldn't be more delighted - or surprised." ~Phillip Martin
The Mural Man Project | A Taste of My World

"First, and primarily, was my intent--the intent to make the classroom and total school environment safer each day. The all-hazards threat environment for schools is ever changing. Unfortunately, the methods to effectively address these challenges have not evolved fast enough to successfully manage these threats, ensuring school children have a reduced-risk learning space. Children should never fear for their security and health when they enter a school. Children should never be injured or killed in a school. So, my intent was to support, with my skills and experience, a new paradigm to address the crying need for change, especially for the classroom teacher who is now, truly, the first responder for all of our children."~Rick Tobin
Ten Tips for Teachers for Safer Schools

Safe to Learn: Advisory Council

"Being part of the conversation about education and safety requires us to ask the questions that we may not have asked before ... and then to support each other in making sure that the solutions we come up with are implemented, assessed and consistently revisited for excellence sake. I would offer that this is our highest responsibility to our children and each other."~Dr. Nancy Degnan

“I am thrilled to be a part of Safe to Learn because it is the responsible thing to do as an educator. Plus, educators work in schools, too, and the life we save may be our own. No one can walk away from an opportunity to help make learning safe and fun!”~ Dr. Tom Horton

"Safe to Learn is a “think tank” comprised of subject matter experts, trusted advisors, critical thinkers and first responders that have hundreds of years of cumulated real world experiences in security, planning and the safety of educators, students and its campuses, facilities and schools."
~Chate Asvanonda

"I became part of the Advisory Team to support the Safe to Learn Community because I believe the work you are doing is important and will help assist our K-12 schools, the teachers, administrators be better equipped to ensure our children's safety and theirs, while continuing to be able to keep their focus on the important job of educating our children."~Renee Domingo