Internet lingo and slang terms are often created and changed and it can be hard to keep up with them all. Safer Schools Together (SST) has composed a list of slang and lingo that might be helpful navigating through your child’s texts, comments, and social media posts in 2020. If you require any further assistance in understanding terms, please contact us.
Get to know Antonio Ysasi, a Senior Threat Analyst at Safer Schools Together for the past 3 years. Antonio has had an interest in computing, internet culture, building computers, and learning about new technologies since he was a child. Hear from Anthony on his tips for parents and students, as well as trends he anticipates being popular in 2024.
We sat down with Jordan Granacki, one of our Senior Threat Analysts, who shared advice for parents and students to ensure
Get the latest updates on digital and behavioral threats to keep your school safe.
Constable
RCMP
John Wilson is recently retired Police Officer having served 20 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police primarily in Surrey BC. During his time with the RCMP, John worked the typical gamut including General Duty, dismantling marijuana grow operations, and Investigative work; notably however, John worked extensively with high-risk youth in the gang environment where he honed his skills in non-enforcement policing and conflict management. John was a founding and long-term member of the multi award winning Surrey WRAP Program – a community focused, police and school partnership which attempted to identify the most high-risk youth in the community and reroute their trajectory away from gangsterism. John spent his final 5 years with the RCMP working within National Security and Community Outreach. Regardless of career path, John’s focus has always been fostering safer communities by addressing challenging situations with empathy and expertise. John is the recipient of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal and the King Charles III Coronation medal.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Rob Rai and Cst. John Wilson’s session.
Corporal
RCMP Youth Unit
Corporal Jacob Cheung has served in the RCMP for 21 years with a diverse background in frontline policing, Technological Crime, and Youth Services. He has dedicated the last 18 years to the RCMP Youth Unit, where he has worked as a School Resource Officer in inner-city schools and contributed to award-winning youth gang prevention and intervention programs, where he supported gang-entrenched youth by reducing risk factors and the trajectory of negative police contacts. Corporal Cheung has also fostered strong partnerships with local and national community organizations to support vulnerable youth by creating opportunities through sports and pro-social initiatives.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Learn how the premier sports teams in British Columbia support the healthy movement of students and the development of pro-social recreation in school settings. The BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks are proud supporters of play for all students and generously contribute to multiple initiatives province-wide; learn about the impact of these programs and how your school/organization can get involved.
Chief Security Officer
Snap, Inc (Snapchat)
James Murray, former Director of the U.S. Secret Service, is currently the Chief Security Officer at Snap, inc. Jim brings a wealth of experience to his role, which will help ensure the safety and security of the more than 5,000 Snap employees who live and work across the globe. Murray began his federal service with the U.S. Department of Transportation and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Years later, he joined the Secret Service as a Special Agent, where he investigated cyber-enabled financial crimes and served as the agency’s liaison to the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Theresa Campbell, Dr. Peter Langman, James Murray, Dr. Melissa Reeves, & Steven MacDonald.
Manager of Community Partnerships and Hockey Development
Vancouver Canucks
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Learn how the premier sports teams in British Columbia support the healthy movement of students and the development of pro-social recreation in school settings. The BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks are proud supporters of play for all students and generously contribute to multiple initiatives province-wide; learn about the impact of these programs and how your school/organization can get involved.
Director, Community Relations
BC Lions
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Learn how the premier sports teams in British Columbia support the healthy movement of students and the development of pro-social recreation in school settings. The BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks are proud supporters of play for all students and generously contribute to multiple initiatives province-wide; learn about the impact of these programs and how your school/organization can get involved.
Emily Terrett is a 23-year-old student in her final year at the University of the Fraser Valley, where she is working toward a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Creative Writing. As part of Gen Z, Emily has grown up with technology and witnessed its rapid evolution, learning about its risks firsthand. Motivated by her own experiences, she aims to raise awareness about the dangers of online grooming. Through sharing her own personal story, Emily hopes to empower others to recognize the signs of online threats, emphasizing that you don’t have to be an expert to identify unsafe situations on the internet.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Michelle Denault, Tiana Sharifi, Emily Terrett, Carol Todd, & Steven MacDonald.
Detective
Edmonton Police Service
Det. Sean Jenkinson began his policing career with the Edmonton Police Service in 2001. Sean began in West Division Patrol before taking a position on a Special Project Team, operating in a covert fashion, with a focus on complex drug and property-related investigations within his division and city-wide.
In 2008, Sean began working within the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), specifically in the Missing Person Unit, where his focus became investigations within the Major Case Management (MCM) format. Sean spent the majority of the next 16 years within CID, being promoted in 2013 to Detective with roles in Domestic Offender Crimes, Robbery, and Homicide Unit. Over the course of the past 4.5 years within Homicide, Sean had the opportunity to take on all the roles within the command triangle on numerous homicide investigations and the role of a Task Investigator on many others.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Sgt. Hapke and Det. Sean Jenkinson will present on the formation and evolution of Edmonton Police Services’ Firearms Investigation Unit. They will speak to which investigations were prioritized at their unit’s onset and the evolution of firearm crime in Edmonton, which has led to FIU altering their investigative priorities.
Their presentation will speak to FIU successes and developments in investigative approaches. They will utilize specific case studies to offer an in-depth look at FIU investigative process.
Trainer
Safer Schools Together
Dr. Sedor is a School Psychologist and serves as the District Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Coordinator within the Sweetwater Union High School District in California. She is also an Adjunct Professor Faculty in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at San Diego State University and has a private practice.
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Sedor has provided leadership in the areas of mental health, well-being, suicide prevention, USSS/NTAC behavioral threat assessment, and crisis management at the county, state, and national levels.
Currently, Dr. Sedor serves on the NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee, the CASP Legislation Committee, the CASP Mental Health Committee, and recently the California Department of Education Social Emotional Learning Task Force.
She also leads Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training for Safer Schools Together (SST), which is based on the US Secret Service/NTAC model.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Jennifer Chambers and Dr. Margaret A. Sedor session.
Advocate & Founder
Amanda Todd Legacy
Carol Todd has impacted the world as an educator, an advocate, parent, and leader for social action to address bullying. In 2012, Todd’s 15 year old daughter took her own life in response to cyberbullying and sexual harassment. From this place of tragedy, Todd found that by sharing her story she could help others. She founded the Amanda Todd Legacy Society to create more awareness surrounding anti-bullying, mental health, and cyber safety initiatives. She continues to speak publicly about both her experience and her daughter’s struggles with cyber-bullying, physical assault, and sexual victimization.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Michelle Denault, Carol Todd, Tiana Sharifi, Emily Terrett, & Jed Roffers.
Co-founder
Public Safety and Emergency Medical Expert
Meg began her career in public safety as an EMT while completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. She continued her formal education at the IUPUI Purdue School of Science with a Master’s Degree in Biology. Meg has worked as a paramedic at both Putnam County Operation Life and Indianapolis EMS. At present, Meg has 15 years of EMS experience in rural, urban, and suburban environments.
Meg also served as a full time EMS Educator for the Eskenazi Hospital/IU School of Medicine Associate’s Degree program in Paramedic Science teaching anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, medical emergencies, and trauma. During her time at Indianapolis EMS she was selected as a tactical medic for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s SWAT Team and Bomb Squad. After finding a passion for law enforcement while serving as a tactical medic, Meg transitioned to full time law enforcement at the Carmel Police Department in Carmel, IN.
Meg has a unique perspective having served in roles as both a paramedic and police officer and understands the challenges of teaching medical concepts to civilian first responders.During her career at Carmel PD, Meg was selected as a member of their SWAT team and served on the entry element with a specialization in less lethal and gas munitions. She is a certified instructor through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy both as a generalist and physical tactics instructor.
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz, founders of Rescue in Color, for a pragmatic discussion on implementing bleeding control education in school settings. While CPR and AED training have long been part of school emergency preparedness, districts now face new legislative demands and community expectations regarding traumatic injury response. This course equips school administrators, educators and law enforcement professionals with practical strategies for integrating such curriculum into the K-12 setting, ensuring effective emergency preparedness in today’s evolving landscape.
Co-founder
Emergency Medical Expert
Dr. Wagner is an Internal Medicine physician with 18 years of experience in EMS, disaster medicine, emergency preparedness and training. Beginning as an EMT-B, she transitioned from direct patient care, Dr. Wagner became a Crisis and Continuity advisor for the MESH coalition in Indianapolis; an organization that trains healthcare providers to effectively respond to emergencies and remain viable through recovery.
She was responsible for the development of critical policies and training programs that helped ensure effective all-hazards emergency preparedness as well as the collaboration of healthcare organizations, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations. As part of her duties, Dr. Wagner facilitated interdisciplinary mass-casualty training programs all over the state of Indiana.
Now working as a full-time Internist, Dr. Wagner serves on her hospital’s emergency preparedness committee. In addition to her medical degree, she holds Masters degrees in both Biology and Public Health and uses her education to serve this passion. After the Uvalde tragedy brought school safety to the forefront of our minds yet again, Dr. Wagner knew that she wanted to use her unique skills set to contribute to this cause in a profound way.
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz, founders of Rescue in Color, for a pragmatic discussion on implementing bleeding control education in school settings. While CPR and AED training have long been part of school emergency preparedness, districts now face new legislative demands and community expectations regarding traumatic injury response. This course equips school administrators, educators and law enforcement professionals with practical strategies for integrating such curriculum into the K-12 setting, ensuring effective emergency preparedness in today’s evolving landscape.
CEO & Founder
Exploitation Education Institute
Tiana Sharifi is internationally recognized as a Canadian expert in the field of anti-sexual exploitation and human trafficking, with over a decade of direct experience. She began her career providing educational workshops on human trafficking, working with youth victims of sexual exploitation and adult women survivors of gender violence and human trafficking. With a strong foundation in Psychology and Counseling, Tiana approaches all forms of sexual exploitation through a deep understanding of human behavior, addressing root causes such as consent, vulnerability, and the need for connection.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Michelle Denault, Carol Todd, Tiana Sharifi, Emily Terrett, & Jed Roffers.
Executive Senior Consultant
Safer Schools Together
Rob Rai is an Executive Senior Consultant with Safer Schools Together. An innovative thinker with more than 25 years of experience working with vulnerable youth in school systems, Rob has been at the forefront of developing culturally responsive gang intervention programming for diverse youth. Rob has been recognized for his contributions to redirecting criminally involved adolescents by municipal, provincial and national governments including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian schools. Rob continues to advance the movement of supporting all youth realize their full life potential.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Rob Rai and Cst. John Wilson’s session.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Learn how the premier sports teams in British Columbia support the healthy movement of students and the development of pro-social recreation in school settings. The BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks are proud supporters of play for all students and generously contribute to multiple initiatives province-wide; learn about the impact of these programs and how your school/organization can get involved.
Senior Consultant & Trainer
Safer Schools TOgether
Jen Chambers has been an Educator and Counsellor in British Columbia schools for almost thirty years. Her career began with teaching English and Philosophy to high school students in the District Gifted Program in Greater Victoria, BC. After earning a Master’s Degree in Counselling, Jen broadened her professional practice to supporting struggling youth in schools.
Jen has held the role of District Counsellor, Safe Schools Coordinator, and District Critical Incident Response Lead for the past eight years. She is also a trainer for Safer Schools Together (SST), where she presents the US Secret Service/NTAC model-based “Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA)”, “Trauma-Informed Safe and Caring School Communities”, and “Anxiety, the Brain, and the Classroom: The ABCs of a Trauma-Informed Approach” sessions.
Jen’s work focuses on supporting the most vulnerable youth in her community and providing professional development for staff focusing on mental health initiatives, trauma informed practices, harm reduction, BDTA and critical incident response.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Jennifer Chambers and Dr. Margaret A. Sedor session.
Director of Training and Development
Safer Schools Together
Steven joined Safer Schools Together (SST) as Director of Training and Development in 2019 after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He collaborates closely with SST’s CEO, Theresa Campbell, to design and implement training programs such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) and Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA).
Steven has trained professionals across North America, including those from DHS, FBI, law enforcement agencies, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions. His expertise lies in creating safer school environments by equipping teams with the knowledge and tools to conduct accurate threat assessments.
He previously worked as a Senior Threat Analyst specializing in social media data analysis for Safety/Threat Assessment teams, contributing significantly to school safety cases in Canada and the USA. Steven’s background in language analytics, artificial intelligence, and social media trends allows him to effectively collect data and evaluate threats. He presents workshops on social media awareness, online safety, and strategies for managing threat-related behaviors in today’s digital age, making him a valuable asset in promoting safety in North American communities.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Steven MacDonald and Dr. Melissa Reeves’ session.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Theresa Campbell, Dr. Peter Langman, James Murray, Dr. Melissa Reeves, & Steven MacDonald.
Children/Youth Early Intervention & Crime Prevention Specialist & Innovator
SNAP Co-Founder
Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto
Leena K. Augimeri, Ph.D., is a renowned innovative scientist-practitioner and co-founder of Stop Now And Plan (SNAP), an internationally acclaimed, evidence-based program that helps children and youth enhance their emotional regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills. With over 40 years of expertise in children’s mental health and crime prevention, Dr. Augimeri has advanced innovative tools for risk identification and management, including the Early Assessment Risk List (EARL) and the Structured Assessment of Protective Risk Factors for violence risk, Child Version (SAPROF-CV), has led national multi-million dollar implementations, participated in international study groups and was appointed by the Ontario Government to Chair the Youth Justice Task Force to formulate actionable and impactful recommendations to develop a modernized youth justice system that fully supports youth in conflict with the law and those who support them. Her work focuses on creating comprehensive frameworks for addressing antisocial and disruptive behaviors in children through trauma-informed interventions, community referral protocols, and risk/need assessments. The SNAP model has been implemented globally, demonstrating its effectiveness in fostering better outcomes for children and families. Dr. Augimeri has published extensively, delivered hundreds of presentations, and received prestigious accolades, including the Prime Minister’s Regional Social Innovation Award for SNAP, and more recently in 2024 the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and Research Canada’s Leadership in Advocacy Award. A passionate advocate for early intervention and evidence-based practices, Dr. Augimeri is committed to bridging science and practice, empowering organizations to incorporate research into clinical care, and fostering safer communities. Her mission is to nurture happier, healthier children, youth, and families while addressing the root causes of crime and antisocial behavior through proactive, evidence-based solutions.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 4:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Middle-years children (ages 6 – 12) who display serious disruptive behaviors – such as aggression, rule-breaking, and conduct problems – are at significantly greater risk of following a negative life trajectory. These children often exhibit anger, impulsivity, irritability, and oppositional behaviors, leading to difficulties at school and in social relationships. The societal cost of one serious violent and chronic (SVC) offender can range from $1.5 to $6 million over their lifetime, considering their social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, as well as the profound impact on their victims, families, and communities. This presentation will highlight a comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and crime prevention framework designed to address the risks and needs of high-risk children. The framework aims to enhance emotion regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills – critical competencies that can be challenging for anyone but are particularly difficult for children whose cognitive regulation systems are still developing. As Dr. Alex Piquero (2023) emphasizes: “There is no better way to prevent crime – and improve many other outcomes throughout life – than to build up the self-control of individuals.” Attendees will learn about effective strategies for engaging high-risk children and families in a timely manner, assessing their levels of risk and needs, and implementing evidence-based prevention and early intervention programs to redirect them from negative life trajectories. This presentation underscores the urgency of early action and provides actionable solutions for professionals working to support vulnerable children and their families.
Producer, Writer, Actor & Safe School Liaison
Jonathan Mubanda is a dedicated youth worker with nearly 20 years of experience. His passion for changing lives stems from a transformative experience he had with a high school coach. Alongside his commitment to youth work, Jonathan has a deep passion for film. He has acted in numerous films and TV shows and recently participated in an award-winning documentary. This success gave him the confidence to produce his own film, which will debut as a TELUS original. Jonathan focuses on telling impactful stories through film, continuing to inspire and make a difference in the lives of young people through his dual passions for youth work and filmmaking.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Jonathan Mubanda’s session.
School Counselor
Cheatham County School District
On September 28, 2016, an eighth grader armed with a semi-automatic handgun and a plan to kill people on campus went to the counseling department at Sycamore Middle School in Pleasant View, Tennessee, to find his school counselor. After ninety minutes of talking with the young man and praying beside him on her knees, the counselor was able to convince him to relinquish the weapon to her with no shots fired and no lives lost. For her efforts, she became a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor’s Citizens Honor for a single act of heroism. In her twenty-fifth year in education, she remains the school counselor at Sycamore Middle School
Keynote Session
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 9:45 AM – 11:45 AM PST
There is no profile of school shooters, nor any one cause that accounts for their attacks. This presentation explores a wide range of potential factors that may contribute to rampage attacks. These factors include the biological (genetics, developmental, body-related issues), three psychological categories of perpetrators (psychopathic, psychotic, traumatized), a variety of social failures, and cultural influences such as role models, ideologies, and the desire for fame.
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Join Molly Hudgens as she shares the story of how she prevented a school shooting on September 28, 2016, when a student with a fully-loaded semi-automatic handgun came to her with a plan to kill people on the school’s campus, he told her, “I came to you because you’re the only person who can talk me out of this.” After a ninety-minute intervention, the student relinquished the weapon to Mrs. Hudgens with no shots fired and no lives lost. Molly’s retelling of the event walks the audience through the specifics of the incident that took place in her office and highlights previous training that affected her decision-making process during the event. Molly speaks boldly of her faith throughout and challenges those in attendance to remember that every human interaction matters and that one life can make a difference. Molly Hudgens became the first Tennessean and only the tenth woman to become a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Citizens Medal of Honor for her efforts that day.
Senior Director of Projects, Programs, and Training
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Join this workshop with Michele Gay & Dr. Joseph McKenna, for a meaningful introduction to Safe and Sound Schools’ newest program, Staying Safe. Developed in partnership with the Texas School Safety Center and ALERRT, Staying Safe equips school teams to teach PK-12 students developmentally appropriate safety actions. This program aligns with best practices and expertise from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), and Safe and Sound Schools. Discover how this innovative program can enhance your school’s inclusive, comprehensive safety preparedness and support a secure learning environment.
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM PST
Designed to support an inclusive approach to safety preparedness in educational settings, Especially Safe helps you plan, prepare, teach, and train to meet the special needs of students, staff, and visitors in your school community. With considerations for developmental disabilities, communication challenges, medical needs, mobility challenges, and more, this training creates a culture of safety and security that everybody can depend on in emergencies of all kinds.
Speaker, Trainer, National Parent Ambassador
Safe and Sound Schools
Missy’s story entails how she has transitioned from victim to survivor and from teacher to school safety advocate. Missy Dodds serves as a Safe and Sound Schools National Parent Ambassador, speaker and trainer. Sharing her very personal story about the 2005 tragedy at Red Lake High School, Missy has navigated a path to healing in order to help schools, parents and communities understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to school safety and recovery.
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
In this moving presentation, Missy shares her personal journey of navigating life after a school shooting and her quest to understand how such a tragedy can occur. She openly discusses the pain, guilt, and difficult decisions she faced, detailing her struggles and successes, and how she now defines acceptance. Missy also shares lessons learned and reveals what she believes could have prevented the events on March 21, 2005. Her goal is to leave attendees with hope and courage, demonstrating that through perseverance and self-work, one can find the strength to progress from being a victim to becoming a survivor.
Lead School Psychologist
District in Northern Virginia
Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS Ed. believes school safety is everyone’s responsibility and that we all have a part in creating a safe and supportive school environment for all to thrive. He provides leadership and an array of psychological and school-based mental health services as a lead school psychologist and crisis team leader for his school district. For the National Association of School Psychologists, he serves on the School Safety and Crisis Response Committee conducting presentations and contributing to topics related to youth suicide, PREPaRE, and school safety and crisis intervention.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Pathways for Prevention, a Signature Program of Safe & Sound Schools, focuses on universal violence prevention strategies, as well as targeted and intensive interventions for preventing and responding to violent behaviors to support safe learning environments. Pathways for Prevention is rooted in the application of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and identifying and utilizing systems of support within school communities to ensure student growth, wellness, and safety. In this session, Ben Fernandez will introduce attendees to the program and provide real-world illustrations and examples of MTSS as a model for prevention, intervention, and postvention.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Safe and Sound Schools
Michele Gay is a mother, former teacher, and one of the founders of Safe and Sound Schools: A Sandy Hook Initiative. Following the tragic loss of her daughter, Josephine, in the Sandy Hook School tragedy, Michele Gay joined Sandy Hook mother, Alissa Parker, to establish Safe and Sound Schools as a national resource for school safety. She now travels across the country sharing her message of inspiration, recovery, and school safety education and advocacy.
Keynote Session
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM PST
Michele tells her personal story and recounts the lessons learned on December 14, 2012 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 in memory of the other 19 children and six teachers lost on December 14, 2012. Michele’s perspective, as the mother of a child with special needs 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.
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Join this workshop with Michele Gay & Dr. Joseph McKenna, for a meaningful introduction to Safe and Sound Schools’ newest program, Staying Safe. Developed in partnership with the Texas School Safety Center and ALERRT, Staying Safe equips school teams to teach PK-12 students developmentally appropriate safety actions. This program aligns with best practices and expertise from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), and Safe and Sound Schools. Discover how this innovative program can enhance your school’s inclusive, comprehensive safety preparedness and support a secure learning environment.
Director of Research and School Safety Training
Drift Net, LLC
Dr. Peter Langman is a psychologist whose research on school shooters has received international recognition. His book, Why Kids Kill: Inside the Minds of School Shooters, was named an Outstanding Academic Title and was translated into German, Dutch, and Finnish. His work has been cited in congressional testimony on Capitol Hill and he has been interviewed by the New York Times, The Today Show, 20/20, Nightline, Fox, CNN, the BBC, and 400 other news outlets on five continents. After the Sandy Hook attack, the CEO of the American Psychological Association presented Dr. Langman’s recommendations on school safety to President Obama. He has presented at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, and been hired by the Department of Homeland Security to train professionals in school safety. He maintains the largest online collection of materials relating to school shooters at schoolshooters.info, including over 400 documents totaling 60,000 pages. His latest book is School Shooters: Understanding High School, College, and Adult Perpetrators.
Keynote Session
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 9:45 AM – 11:45 AM PST
There is no profile of school shooters, nor any one cause that accounts for their attacks. This presentation explores a wide range of potential factors that may contribute to rampage attacks. These factors include the biological (genetics, developmental, body-related issues), three psychological categories of perpetrators (psychopathic, psychotic, traumatized), a variety of social failures, and cultural influences such as role models, ideologies, and the desire for fame.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Theresa Campbell, Dr. Peter Langman, James Murray, Dr. Melissa Reeves, & Steven MacDonald.
Owner & Founder
Voices Carry, LLC
Michelle Denault, owner and founder of “Voices Carry, LLC”, is a survivor of Educator Sexual Abuse and the creator of the training “Grooming 101 – A Predator’s Playbook”. In 2015, after decades of believing she had been in a “love relationship” with a trusted teacher, a moment in time shifted her perspective and opened her eyes to the truth that she hadn’t been loved but instead preyed on and abused. Since that time, Michelle has been speaking her truth, advocating for change, and in a fight in the justice system to bring accountability to her abuser and his enablers. “Grooming 101” has been in numerous schools and at several institutional conferences throughout Illinois to train adults on how to recognize the signs a child is being groomed and to teach students how to recognize they or their peers may be being groomed. Michelle is married to Mike Denault, Superintendent of the Waltonville School District, and has two boys, Jonny and Jacob Forbes, and two stepdaughters, Emersyn and Addysen. Michelle has an insane love of Disneyworld and a passion for Duke Basketball. What students and adults alike find most entertaining about her presentation is that her high school mascot was a Pretzel. Everyone loves it when she teaches them how to make a pretzel with their fingers!
Keynote Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM PST
How often do you see a headline that a trusted authority figure has been in an “inappropriate relationship” with a minor? These are not “relationships” but instead abuse that begins with grooming. “Grooming 101 – A Predator’s Playbook” is conducted by Michelle Denault from her dual lens of educator abuse survivor and superintendent’s wife. Michelle weaves her story in as she breaks down each step of grooming, allowing participants to see through the lens of a survivor how predators use a child’s natural want for love to manipulate them into consenting to their own violation.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Michelle Denault, Carol Todd, Tiana Sharifi, Emily Terrett, & Jed Roffers.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Safer Schools Together
Theresa Campbell is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of Safer Schools Together (SST), an organization focused on promoting a climate and culture of safety in schools. Theresa established SST in 2008 to provide law enforcement agencies, school districts, and community partners with comprehensive violence prevention/intervention training. In 2018, she expanded her role to include CEO and founder of the International Center for Digital Threat Assessment® (ICDTA). Previously, Theresa served as the Executive Director of the International Center for Threat Assessment (ICTA). As a Subject Matter Expert in School-Based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment, violence prevention, and trauma response, Theresa regularly consults on high-profile cases throughout North America.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Theresa Campbell, Dr. Peter Langman, James Murray, Dr. Melissa Reeves, & Steven MacDonald.
Consultant & Trainer
Safer Schools Together
Dr. Melissa Reeves is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, and professional counselor with over 20 years of experience in public and private schools. She has taught psychology courses and served on the university’s Critical Incident Management Team and the College of Arts and Science COVID-19 Recovery committee.
Dr. Reeves is a threat assessment and mental health specialist and senior advisor for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She is also a consultant and trainer for SIGMA Threat Management Associates and delivers the USSS/NTAC model-based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training for SST.
Dr. Reeves is the lead author of the South Carolina Department of Education School-Based Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Best Practice Guidelines for South Carolina K-12 Schools and has conducted over 350 workshops and presentations. She has authored six books and has testified in front of the U.S. Senate Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Disaster and Recovery.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding Dr. Melissa Reeves and Steven MacDonald’s session.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Theresa Campbell, Dr. Peter Langman, James Murray, Dr. Melissa Reeves, & Steven MacDonald.
Director of Project Development
Safer Schools Together
Colton joined Safer Schools Together (SST) in 2016 after receiving his Diploma in Law Enforcement Studies at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. In his current role as the Director of Project Development, Colton works closely with SST CEO/Founder Theresa Campbell in the development and implementation of trainings such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment®, Digital Threat Assessment®, and more.
Colton is an accomplished trainer, having presented to thousands of individuals from organizations across North America including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and numerous other law enforcement agencies and both K to 12 school districts and higher education campuses.
Colton began his time at SST as a Threat Analyst where he gained invaluable experience and knowledge collecting social media data that is used to assist Safety/Threat Assessment teams in conducting accurate threat assessments. He has been involved in several high-profile cases relating to school safety in Canada and the US.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Discover how the process of analyzing photos and videos to determine the make, model, and functionality of firearms, combined with AI, is transforming firearm authentication. This hands-on session features real case studies, showcasing how experts identify firearm details with precision. Learn practical techniques and explore AI’s potential—and risks—in safety and threat assessment.
GRIP Trainer
Safer Schools Together
Staff Sergeant Raj Jaswal is a distinguished law enforcement professional with 17 years of experience in the criminal justice system. As a member of a municipal police department, Raj has excelled in frontline, investigative, and administrative roles, earning recognition for his exceptional leadership and commitment to community service.
Raj’s expertise in proactive intelligence gathering, gang enforcement, intervention, and suppression has been acknowledged through numerous awards and commendations. Notably, he was recognized as one of the top 40-under-40 police officers internationally by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2023.
Raj’s dedication to combating organized crime has been consistently demonstrated through his work. He received the Deputy Chief Constables commendation in 2014 for developing strategies to curb gang violence. In 2021, he was awarded the Frederick Milton Thrasher Award by the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, Illinois, for his superior accomplishments in gang investigations. The Organization for National Gang Information and Awareness (ONGIA) honored him with the Jim Aspiotis Memorial Award in 2022 for his outstanding professionalism and dedication to community safety.
As a passionate advocate for combining practical experience with educational training, Raj serves as a board member for ONGIA and provides education on gang prevention and intervention across North America.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
We are living in an age where technology is advancing at an exponential rate, oftentimes making it challenging for law enforcement to be adequately prepared. This training session will explore how subjects of concern, particularly youth, are using advanced technology and tools to facilitate gang activity, online threats, conceal digital content, operate anonymously, and actively disrupt law enforcement investigative efforts to evade detection.
Consultant & Firearms-Related Investigations
Safer Schools Together
Frank Grosspietsch, a retired RCMP officer, offers expert consultation services for SST, specializing in firearms investigations and enforcement. With 14 years as a firearms investigative and enforcement support specialist, Frank has supported SST’s Annual Gangs and Guns Conference. His qualifications include firearm identification, criminal use of firearms, and international firearms trafficking. Frank is also a UN-recognized expert in small arms and light weapons, contributing his vast expertise to enhancing public safety.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Discover how the process of analyzing photos and videos to determine the make, model, and functionality of firearms, combined with AI, is transforming firearm authentication. This hands-on session features real case studies, showcasing how experts identify firearm details with precision. Learn practical techniques and explore AI’s potential—and risks—in safety and threat assessment.
Trainer
Safer Schools Together
Jed Roffers, a Special Agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), has been a law enforcement officer for 16 years. He began his career in 2008 as a Trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol. From 2013 – 2022, Jed served as a member of Wisconsin’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, where he became a subject matter expert on how perpetrators utilize mobile applications to facilitate child exploitation crimes. Jed is currently assigned to DCI’s Cyber Crimes Unit.
In 2022, he joined the team at Safer Schools Together as a Professional Trainer, where he provides training on Digital Threat Assessment® as well as social media dangers and digital communications related to online/social media threats.
Jed enjoys Wisconsin’s two most significant influences, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the Green Bay Packers.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
We are living in an age where technology is advancing at an exponential rate, oftentimes making it challenging for law enforcement to be adequately prepared. This training session will explore how subjects of concern, particularly youth, are using advanced technology and tools to facilitate gang activity, online threats, conceal digital content, operate anonymously, and actively disrupt law enforcement investigative efforts to evade detection.
Panel Session
Gangs & Guns Prevention
School Violence Prevention
February 13, 2025 • 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for details regarding the Panel Session with panelists Michelle Denault, Carol Todd, Tiana Sharifi, Emily Terrett, & Jed Roffers.
Commander, Major Crimes Division – Homicide, Crimes Against Children, Financial Crime, & the Crimes Scene unit
El Paso Texas Police Department
Lawrence Lujan has 34 years of active service and is the Commander of the Major Crimes Division – Homicide, Crimes Against Children, Financial Crime, and the Crimes Scene unit – at the El Paso Texas Police Department. He graduated from the FBI National Academy – session 274 and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Class 58. His operational and instructional experience extends across gang investigations and gang Enforcement, leadership, officer safety, special team tactics-SWAT, mobile field force, and firearms. Lawrence has authored articles for trade journals, such as Police1, presented webinars, and taught across the United States and internationally in El Salvador, Canada, and South Korea. He has operational experience in Honduras, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. In 2021, Lawrence was awarded the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for superior service by the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC). In 2022 he was a Presenter at the Ontario National Gang Investigators Association (ONGIA) annual conference. Lawrence brings a unique and sought-after skill set to the law enforcement arena.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
February 14, 2025 • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM PST
The Canadian homeland is composed of diverse and different cultures and communities. Transnational gangs from Latin American countries exploit immigration by hiding amongst those fleeing violence and exploitation. A foreign culture, language, and beliefs can make the protection and public service mission challenging for both local, provincial, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Lead, Western Canada Illicit Trade Prevention
Rothman, Benson & Hedges Inc.
Ron Bell is a regular presenter at conferences, law enforcement training academies and organizations involved in enforcement initiatives. Ron Bell has over 3 decades of law enforcement and compliance experience, first with the Winnipeg Police Service, and then transitioning into the world of illegal tobacco and tax compliance with the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit (SIU). In his last role as Manager, he spearheaded the province’s efforts to tackle criminal organizations involved in contraband tobacco.
In 2023 Ron moved into the private sector, as Lead Investigator Western Canada Illicit Trade Prevention, Rothman, Benson & Hedges Inc., continuing his efforts to prevent the growth of contraband tobacco and cigarettes by focusing his efforts on supporting and consolidating relationships with law enforcement and government compliance and enforcement agencies.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
In-Person Only
February 13, 2025 • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Wherever organized crime is allowed to exist, violence will soon follow. Contraband tobacco, the new currency of organized crime, is a billion-dollar industry, not only impacting community safety, but a substantial loss of revenue.
Trainer
Safer Schools Together
Dr. Christopher M. Felton, a Detective Sergeant with over 17 years of law enforcement experience, is dedicated to gang and violent crimes. He serves as an Adjunct Professor and Subject Matter Expert for a local university as well as a Trainer for SST, providing insights into criminal justice, forensic psychology, and first responder mental health. Christopher founded a Police Officer Peer Support Team and has presented at national conferences on criminological and first responder mental health research. His academic achievements include a BS in Criminal Justice, an MS in Forensic Psychology, a Masters in Philosophy, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice – Law and Public Policy. He is also a U.S. Army veteran.
Gangs & Guns Prevention
In-Person Only
February 14, 2025 • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM PST
It is no secret that law enforcement and gang interventionists need the help of their communities to detect, deter, and solve violent crime. Building trust between law enforcement and the public is essential to enhancing the perceived legitimacy of the police, thus contributing to positive, cooperative relationships. Quantitative research has proven that when the police treat people with the tenets of Procedural Justice (fairness and respect, equality and neutrality in decision making, and giving them a voice) that a citizen’s cooperation and respect for the police, both at the time of the encounter and beyond, increases substantially, regardless of the outcome of the encounter. Numerous cases have been documented where properly employing these tenets have led gang members and other violent criminals to not only cooperate and give information during roadside stops, but to later become long-term informants. In this session, Detective Sergeant Christopher M. Felton, PhD will discuss current research and best practices on implementing Procedural Justice when it matters in order to build trusting, informative, and positive relationships with community and gang members alike.
