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Tuesday, July 21
 

6:30am EDT

**Optional** Focus on Wellness with NOTA Fitness
Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:30am - 7:00am EDT
Terrace - 2nd Floor
Begin your morning with an energizing wellness session designed specifically for school safety leaders  —administrators, educators, school resource officers, and support personnel. This restorative morning workout blends muscle-strengthening and heart-healthy movement, mindfulness, and breathwork to help you reset, refocus, and recharge. This session sets a positive foundation for engaging deeply in school safety innovation throughout the day.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:30am - 7:00am EDT
Terrace - 2nd Floor
  Bonus Wellness Session

7:30am EDT

Day Two Check-in and Registration
Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am EDT
First Floor

Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am EDT
First Floor
  Check-in

8:00am EDT

Day Two - Welcome Back and Virginia D.A.R.E. Awards
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am EDT
Grand Ballroom
Virginia D.A.R.E. Awards
Speakers
avatar for Rob Hefner

Rob Hefner

Director, Virginia DARE Program
Rob is currently the Virginia D.A.R.E. State Program and Training Center’s Director.  He previously served on the Virginia D.A.R.E. Officers Association board as Treasurer, Vice President, President and Past President.  Rob serves with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, where... Read More →
avatar for Breanna Marini

Breanna Marini

SRO, King George Sheriff's Office
I serve as a School Resource Officer with the King George Sheriff’s Office and have been involved with D.A.R.E. for the past ten years, working to promote youth safety, leadership, and positive decision-making. I'm also the program coordinator for KGSO's summer Youth Criminal Justice... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Keynote #A5D800

8:15am EDT

Tracing the Pathway to Violence: What Digital Leakage Reveals During Virginia Threat Assessments
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Grand Ballroom
Nearly 90% of today's threats are communicated digitally; therefore, an accurate assessment of risk cannot be determined without assessing a threat maker’s digital behavioral baseline. This session brings today’s evolving digital safety challenges into focus, including threat related behavior, online harassment, swatting incidents, and AI‑driven misinformation. Participants will gain a clear view of emerging threats and how they are shaping the future of school safety in Virginia and nationwide – as well as practical tools for those striving to help students navigate these challenges.
Speakers
avatar for Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

President and CEO, 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... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Keynote #A5D800

9:30am EDT

Adjusting the Aperture: Finding Hope and Safety in a Digital World
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom
Behind every notification is a heartbeat.  Behind every scroll is a search for connection-or a cry for help. As the digital landscape evolves, so must our framework for youth suicide prevention. For many educators and clinicians, social media is often viewed through a narrow lens of risk—cyberbullying, social comparison, screen time, and sleep deprivation. However, to truly support the modern student, we must adjust the aperture to capture a more comprehensive picture of the digital experience to find hope and safety in a digital world.
Speakers
avatar for Margaret Sedor

Margaret Sedor

National Association of School Psychologist (NASP), School Psychologist and School Safety and Crisis Response Committee
Dr. Margaret A. Sedor is a nationally recognized school psychologist with over 30 years’ experience within schools, alternative education settings, residential facilities, and graduate programs. As a national expert, she facilitates training in MTSS, mental wellbeing, suicide risk... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Keynote #A5D800

10:30am EDT

A Systematic Framework for Digital Safety and Hope
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 203/204
As the digital landscape evolves, so must our framework for youth suicide prevention. This session provides a research-based foundation grounded within an Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for comprehensive school safety and well-being. Specifically, participants will be guided through a full continuum of suicide prevention: prevention, intervention, risk assessment, and postvention as it exists within a digital world. Moving beyond traditional risk screening and assessment interviews, this session will demonstrate how multi-disciplinary school teams can identify and interpret the "digital footprint" of a student at risk. This proactive approach equips educators and mental health professionals with key considerations for utilizing multi-source data to identify mental health needs and evaluate risk in the digital sphere. Participants will gain practical strategies and learn of tools to intervene before, during, and after life-threatening behaviors occur and foster a culture of safety, connectedness, and hope in a digital world.
Speakers
avatar for Margaret Sedor

Margaret Sedor

National Association of School Psychologist (NASP), School Psychologist and School Safety and Crisis Response Committee
Dr. Margaret A. Sedor is a nationally recognized school psychologist with over 30 years’ experience within schools, alternative education settings, residential facilities, and graduate programs. As a national expert, she facilitates training in MTSS, mental wellbeing, suicide risk... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 203/204
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Addressing Violent Online Networks Targeting Virginia’s Youth: What Educators and Public Safety Professionals Need to Know
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 102/103
This session will provide an overview of violent online networks targeting youth, including the “Edgesphere,” “COM,”, “764,” and the “True Crime Community.” Some recent acts of targeted violence, including school-based incidents, have been linked to individuals influenced by these networks. Participants will receive critical insights into how these decentralized violent online networks operate, including the structure of affiliated subnetworks and groups, common narratives and symbols used to signal affiliation, and the tactics employed to recruit, manipulate, and normalize harm. The training will address the use of disturbing content, such as extreme violence, animal cruelty, and self-harm as well as coercive and psychologically abusive behaviors designed to desensitize and control vulnerable youth. A key component of this training is helping participants recognize potential behavioral indicators and warning signs of youth involvement in violent online networks. The training will also help participants better understand how this information can inform early identification, reporting, and prevention efforts within school and community settings.
Speakers
KL

Krystal Laine

Criminal Intelligence Division / VSP BTAM and Fusion Center Liaison, Hanover County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Krystal Laine has dedicated her career to serving and protecting the citizens of Hanover County, the community where she was born and raised. She joined the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice... Read More →
avatar for Bethany Sajan

Bethany Sajan

Senior Intelligence Analyst, Virginia Fusion Center
Bethany Sajan is a Senior Intelligence Analyst on the Counter-Terrorism Team at the Virginia Fusion Center (VFC), which is a part of the Virginia State Police (VSP) Strategic and Tactical Intelligence Directorate. This team collects and disseminates information regarding foreign and... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 102/103
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Beyond the Badge: Bringing School Safety Into Focus Through Community-Minded Leadership
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room B
Provides actionable prevention and planning strategies while also serving as a bridge to the full Advanced SRO course. The objective would be to equip SROs to confidently communicate safety concerns and lead productive conversations with school leadership.
Speakers
avatar for Von Hill

Von Hill

Captain (Retired), Executive Strategies, LLC
Captain Von L. Hill (Ret.) is an emerging nationally recognized school safety consultant, public safety leader, and instructor with more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement, school safety, emergency management, leadership development, and community partnership building... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room B
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Cannabis & Youth: What School Safety Professionals Should Know
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 106/107
As cannabis and vaping products continue to evolve, so do the risks they pose to student health, learning environments, and overall school safety. This session, led by the Cannabis Control Authority, offers a look through the “lens on school safety” at emerging trends in youth cannabis and vape use, product types commonly encountered in Virginia schools, and the impacts on student wellbeing and campus climate. Participants will learn about the new cannabis laws in Virginia, the roles of each agency in regulation, the risks of underage use, and what schools should do with confiscated products. The session will also highlight evidence-informed prevention approaches, strategies for strengthening school policies, and ways to collaborate with families, community partners, and state resources to reduce incidents and promote safer school environments. Attendees will leave with practical tools, up-to-date guidance, and a clearer understanding of how to support safer, healthier K–12 communities.
Speakers
avatar for Brianna Bonnat

Brianna Bonnat

Director of Public Health & Engagement, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Brianna Bonat joined the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority in June 2022 and currently serves as the Director of Public Health and Engagement. In this role, Brianna oversees administrative, analytical, and educational efforts to support the public health focus of the Authority’s... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 106/107
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Considerations for Making Sound School Safety Equipment Purchasing Decisions
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 205
Across the country, school divisions continue to make meaningful investments in security technology, emergency plans, and training. Yet many K–12 leaders still wrestle with fundamental questions: How do I know our school safety investments actually work? Is our safety and security approach designed around our schools’ unique risks and needs? Are our investments strategic and sustainable for today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges? And as school leaders, how do we ensure we are building a coherent safety system—rather than a patchwork of fixes? In this session, Drawing on a decade of work with divisions of every size, Hough—former senior federal school-safety official—will outline why compliance-driven approaches often stall and what it looks like to move toward holistic, risk-based safety systems that support not only survival, but learning, growth, and development. This is not a session about buying the next tool. It is about building the conditions in which young people feel safe to learn, belong, and thrive.

Speakers
avatar for Don Hough

Don Hough

Vice-President, COSECURE
Don Hough serves as Vice President at COSECURE, where he leads the firm’s work to advance integrated approaches to physical security, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness in schools. Don brings more than 15 years of experience leading complex safety and resilience initiatives... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 205
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Updates
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 209
This session of D.A.R.E. updates will include Virginia D.A.R.E. Association business and updates in training available from D.A.R.E. America, including new elementary vaping and social media lessons.
Speakers
avatar for Breanna Marini

Breanna Marini

SRO, King George Sheriff's Office
I serve as a School Resource Officer with the King George Sheriff’s Office and have been involved with D.A.R.E. for the past ten years, working to promote youth safety, leadership, and positive decision-making. I'm also the program coordinator for KGSO's summer Youth Criminal Justice... Read More →
avatar for Rob Hefner

Rob Hefner

Director, Virginia DARE Program
Rob is currently the Virginia D.A.R.E. State Program and Training Center’s Director.  He previously served on the Virginia D.A.R.E. Officers Association board as Treasurer, Vice President, President and Past President.  Rob serves with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, where... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 209
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Four Proactive Priorities for Decision Making in Schools
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 201/202
As educators and safe, caring adults in schools, we make so many decisions within a day. For equity-centered trauma informed practices to be universal and noncomplex, we apply Alex Shevrin Venet’s four proactive priorities in our interactions and relationships with students and adults, pedagogy and academics, and systems, policy, and school wide practices. Answering these four questions: Is it predictable?, Is it flexible?, Does it foster empowerment? And Does it foster connection? will help all educators and safe, caring adults in schools be proactive and improve how schools are designed to provide safe and supportive environments.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Christobelle Tan

Dr. Christobelle Tan

Transformative Social and Emotional Learning Project Specialist, San Diego County Office of Education
Dr. Christobelle Tan (Belle) is a Transformative Social and Emotional Learning Project Specialist at the San Diego County Office of Education. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics - Secondary Education, Masters of Education, and her Joint Doctor of Education in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 201/202
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

From Classroom to Command Post: Integrating School Critical Incident Response
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom
This presentation provides an overview of how schools and public safety agencies coordinate their response to critical incidents such as mass attacks. The session highlights lessons learned from real-world events, the importance of multi-agency coordination, and the management of complex incidents involving law enforcement, fire/EMS, and school personnel. The curriculum is informed by the analysis of more than 780 incidents and related after action reports. The material aligns with nationally recognized guidance and best practices for incident management and school safety.
Speakers
avatar for Greg Pass

Greg Pass

Director of Training and Research, First 30 Group
Greg Pass is a retired Lieutenant from the Prince William County Police Department in the Washington, D.C. National Capital Region. As an Assistant Commander for the department's full-time SWAT team, Greg worked on several regional multi-disciplinary committees focused on preparing... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Leading the Way in Protecting Students Online: Building a Safer Digital Future Together
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
208
The Virginia Department of Education’s Internet Safety Advisory Council provides essential leadership in helping schools address modern online risks. Through this initiative, divisions gain access to recommended instructional materials and model policies that strengthen digital citizenship and enhance student protection. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies, ready‑to‑use resources, and a clear roadmap for establishing or strengthening their own Internet Safety Advisory Council.
Speakers
avatar for Calypso Gilstrap

Calypso Gilstrap

Executive Director of Innovation, Virginia Department of Education
Calypso Gilstrap is a nationally recognized leader in educational innovation and digital transformation, celebrated for her ability to connect emerging technologies with the real‑world needs of teachers and students. With more than a decade of experience shaping statewide instructional... Read More →
Gilstrap Protecting Students Online July 2026 pptx
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
208
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Legal Issues in Schools: Where’s the Line Between Enforcing the Student Code of Conduct and Enforcing the Law
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 108/109
Where is the line between what school leaders and school security should be doing to enforce school rules - and what School Resources must do to uphold the law? Is bullying a crime? This session will provide insight into these topics using cases from the Federal Courts regarding use of force in school, cases involving juveniles, and cases involving active threats to public safety. The presentation will focus on new statutes but will also examine the debate regarding qualified immunity, with respect to law enforcement decisions to use force and situations where law enforcement may face violence at a school. Presenters will provide a strategic approach and provision of guidelines, coupled with key elements of Federal and Virginia law, all with the goal of enhancing the ability of school and police personnel to better respond to legal issues within the school environment and beyond.
Speakers
avatar for Elliott Casey

Elliott Casey

Staff Attorney, Virginia Commonwealth Attorney's Services Council
Elliott Casey is a Staff Attorney for the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council. Elliott has 15 years’ experience as a prosecutor, having served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for the County of Albemarle, the City of Alexandria and the County of Arlington... Read More →
avatar for Mandi Smith

Mandi Smith

Partner, Timberlake Smith Law
As one of the leaders of Timberlake Smith's Education Law practice, Mandi’s practice focuses on advising and representing various school boards and regional educational programs in both internal and external matters. Her practice includes the Local Government practice area, where... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 108/109
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Seeing Schools Through a CPTED Lens: A Guided Tour of Virginia’s New School Safety Inspection Checklist
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room A
This session orients participants to CPTED as a practical school safety lens: how design and environment shape behavior, supervision, and risk. Participants will then receive a guided tour of the School Safety Inspection Checklist structure (exterior to interior), including tips for conducting efficient walkthroughs, capturing meaningful notes, and ensuring consistent completion across diverse team members. Recommended for school administrators, SROs, emergency managers, safety specialists, and audit team members who want a clearer, more confident approach to the checklist that is required as part of the Virginia School Safety Audit program.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Simon, INCI

Kim Simon, INCI

Founder, S2C for Schools
Kim Simon is a retired Virginia law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience across patrol, undercover investigations, accreditation, crisis negotiation, and training leadership. She is nationally recognized for advancing safe, effective school–law enforcement partnerships... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room A
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Steady Minds: Empowering SROs to Help Kids Build Mental Fitness
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room C
Drawing from neuroscience, sport psychology, and real-world implementation in schools and high-performance environments, participants will learn actionable frameworks for integrating mental fitness into daily school routines — not as an “add-on program," but as a core safety and student success competency. Participants will leave with an understanding of how mental fitness reduces escalation, impulsivity, and conflict, and how SROs can play a pivotal role in guiding students through the process.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Seth Hickerson

Dr. Seth Hickerson

Founder/CEO, My Steady Mind
Dr. Hickerson is a best selling author, innovative educator, coach, entrepreneur and multi-branch military Veteran. Seth has been training high performing individuals for the last 20 years; including professional athletes, Navy SEALS, NASA, and Business Executives. Seth is a pioneer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room C
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

The Digital Drug Market: Threats, Trends, and Intervention Methods for Youth Safety
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 104/105
At the intersection of online drug trends, substance use, and gang-associated behavior, how can Digital Threat Assessment® be used as an effective methodology? With platforms such as Discord, Snapchat, and Telegram increasingly used for the illegal buying and selling of substances, Safety/Threat Assessment Teams and law enforcement can often refer to online spaces as the origin of risk-enhancing behaviors among youth. In this workshop, SST imparts tools on how to identify timely digital leakage, assess evolving drug-related coded language, and respond to worrisome digital trends. By examining real-world cases, SST will emphasize how online negative peer groups are targeting High Risk and Vulnerable Youth (HRVY) and how Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA®) continues to be fundamental in preventing tragedy.
Speakers
avatar for Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

President and CEO, 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... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Room 104/105
  Breakout

10:30am EDT

Why Would Students Come to Your School If They Didn’t Have To? Designing Safe, Caring, and Engaging Learning Communities That Students Choose
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room D
What makes a school a place students want to be—not just a place they are required to attend? In this interactive workshop, educators and leaders will explore how to design middle and high school environments and culture where safety, belonging, and engagement are inseparable—and where students build the resilience and pro-social skills needed to thrive in school and beyond. Grounded in the work of William Glasser and his five basic human needs—survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun—this session reframes classroom and school culture through a trauma-informed, learner-centered lens. Participants will examine how unmet needs often surface as disengagement or behavior challenges, and how intentional design can transform those moments into opportunities for connection, regulation, and growth. Participants will explore designs for learning that positively engage learners within the full school environment and through supportive relationship strategies in every learning space before, during, and after school. Participants will leave with strategies and practices they can immediately implement to make a difference in the lives of all young people, but especially those who do not want to be in school.
Speakers
avatar for Ira Socol

Ira Socol

Partner, Socol Moran LLC
Ira David Socol brings an extraordinary and deeply human perspective to the work of school safety—one grounded in lived experience, public service, inclusive design, and the transformation of school experiences and environments so that all students, especially those marginalized... Read More →
avatar for Pam Moran

Pam Moran

Executive Director, Virginia School Consortium for Learning (VaSCL)
Pamela R. Moran is one of the nation’s most respected educational leaders, known for translating bold vision into sustainable system-wide change. Across more than four decades of public service, she has championed the creation of school communities intentionally designed to support... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Conference Room D
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

A Systematic Framework for Digital Safety and Hope
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 203/204
As the digital landscape evolves, so must our framework for youth suicide prevention. This session provides a research-based foundation grounded within an Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for comprehensive school safety and well-being. Specifically, participants will be guided through a full continuum of suicide prevention: prevention, intervention, risk assessment, and postvention as it exists within a digital world. Moving beyond traditional risk screening and assessment interviews, this session will demonstrate how multi-disciplinary school teams can identify and interpret the "digital footprint" of a student at risk. This proactive approach equips educators and mental health professionals with key considerations for utilizing multi-source data to identify mental health needs and evaluate risk in the digital sphere. Participants will gain practical strategies and learn of tools to intervene before, during, and after life-threatening behaviors occur and foster a culture of safety, connectedness, and hope in a digital world.
Speakers
avatar for Margaret Sedor

Margaret Sedor

National Association of School Psychologist (NASP), School Psychologist and School Safety and Crisis Response Committee
Dr. Margaret A. Sedor is a nationally recognized school psychologist with over 30 years’ experience within schools, alternative education settings, residential facilities, and graduate programs. As a national expert, she facilitates training in MTSS, mental wellbeing, suicide risk... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 203/204
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Addressing Violent Online Networks Targeting Virginia’s Youth: What Educators and Public Safety Professionals Need to Know
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 102/103
This session will provide an overview of violent online networks targeting youth, including the “Edgesphere,” “COM,”, “764,” and the “True Crime Community.” Some recent acts of targeted violence, including school-based incidents, have been linked to individuals influenced by these networks. Participants will receive critical insights into how these decentralized violent online networks operate, including the structure of affiliated subnetworks and groups, common narratives and symbols used to signal affiliation, and the tactics employed to recruit, manipulate, and normalize harm. The training will address the use of disturbing content, such as extreme violence, animal cruelty, and self-harm as well as coercive and psychologically abusive behaviors designed to desensitize and control vulnerable youth. A key component of this training is helping participants recognize potential behavioral indicators and warning signs of youth involvement in violent online networks. The training will also help participants better understand how this information can inform early identification, reporting, and prevention efforts within school and community settings.
Speakers
KL

Krystal Laine

Criminal Intelligence Division / VSP BTAM and Fusion Center Liaison, Hanover County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Krystal Laine has dedicated her career to serving and protecting the citizens of Hanover County, the community where she was born and raised. She joined the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice... Read More →
avatar for Bethany Sajan

Bethany Sajan

Senior Intelligence Analyst, Virginia Fusion Center
Bethany Sajan is a Senior Intelligence Analyst on the Counter-Terrorism Team at the Virginia Fusion Center (VFC), which is a part of the Virginia State Police (VSP) Strategic and Tactical Intelligence Directorate. This team collects and disseminates information regarding foreign and... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 102/103
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Beyond the Badge: Bringing School Safety Into Focus Through Community-Minded Leadership
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room B
Provides actionable prevention and planning strategies while also serving as a bridge to the full Advanced SRO course. The objective would be to equip SROs to confidently communicate safety concerns and lead productive conversations with school leadership.
Speakers
avatar for Von Hill

Von Hill

Captain (Retired), Executive Strategies, LLC
Captain Von L. Hill (Ret.) is an emerging nationally recognized school safety consultant, public safety leader, and instructor with more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement, school safety, emergency management, leadership development, and community partnership building... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room B
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Beyond the Classroom: The Critical Role of School Professionals in Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 207
Schools are often one of the few consistent environments where minors and young adults experiencing exploitation can be seen, supported, and connected to help. School Resource Officers (SROs), educators, counselors, nurses, social workers, administrators, and other school professionals each play a critical role in recognizing vulnerabilities, identifying indicators of trafficking, responding appropriately, and disrupting exploitation.

This interactive one-hour session will provide participants with a practical understanding of human trafficking through a school-based lens. Attendees will learn the federal and state legislative definitions, how to recognize common risk factors and behavioral indicators, understand the evolving tactics used by traffickers, and explore the unique role each school professional plays in creating a coordinated, trauma-informed response.

Through real-world examples and practical guidance, participants will leave better equipped to identify concerns, respond safely, make appropriate referrals, and strengthen partnerships with law enforcement, child welfare, victim service providers, and community organizations. The session emphasizes that responding to trafficking is not the responsibility of one individual, it is a shared responsibility requiring awareness, collaboration, and timely action across the entire school community.

 
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Desilet

Courtney Desilet

Minor Anti-Trafficking Training Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General
Courtney Desilet is a nationally recognized survivor leader and public safety executive with 20 years of experience advancing responses to human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and domestic violence. She brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective shaped by careers in... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 207
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Cannabis & Youth: What School Safety Professionals Should Know.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 106/107
As cannabis and vaping products continue to evolve, so do the risks they pose to student health, learning environments, and overall school safety. This session, led by the Cannabis Control Authority, offers a look through the “lens on school safety” at emerging trends in youth cannabis and vape use, product types commonly encountered in Virginia schools, and the impacts on student wellbeing and campus climate. Participants will learn about the new cannabis laws in Virginia, the roles of each agency in regulation, the risks of underage use, and what schools should do with confiscated products. The session will also highlight evidence-informed prevention approaches, strategies for strengthening school policies, and ways to collaborate with families, community partners, and state resources to reduce incidents and promote safer school environments. Attendees will leave with practical tools, up-to-date guidance, and a clearer understanding of how to support safer, healthier K–12 communities.
Speakers
avatar for Brianna Bonnat

Brianna Bonnat

Director of Public Health & Engagement, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Brianna Bonat joined the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority in June 2022 and currently serves as the Director of Public Health and Engagement. In this role, Brianna oversees administrative, analytical, and educational efforts to support the public health focus of the Authority’s... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 106/107
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Considerations for Making Sound School Safety Equipment Purchasing Decisions
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 205
Across the country, school divisions continue to make meaningful investments in security technology, emergency plans, and training. Yet many K–12 leaders still wrestle with fundamental questions: How do I know our school safety investments actually work? Is our safety and security approach designed around our schools’ unique risks and needs? Are our investments strategic and sustainable for today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges? And as school leaders, how do we ensure we are building a coherent safety system—rather than a patchwork of fixes? In this session, Drawing on a decade of work with divisions of every size, Hough—former senior federal school-safety official—will outline why compliance-driven approaches often stall and what it looks like to move toward holistic, risk-based safety systems that support not only survival, but learning, growth, and development. This is not a session about buying the next tool. It is about building the conditions in which young people feel safe to learn, belong, and thrive.

Speakers
avatar for Don Hough

Don Hough

Vice-President, COSECURE
Don Hough serves as Vice President at COSECURE, where he leads the firm’s work to advance integrated approaches to physical security, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness in schools. Don brings more than 15 years of experience leading complex safety and resilience initiatives... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 205
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Updates
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 209
This session of D.A.R.E. updates will include Virginia D.A.R.E. Association business and updates in training available from D.A.R.E. America, including new elementary vaping and social media lessons.
Speakers
avatar for Breanna Marini

Breanna Marini

SRO, King George Sheriff's Office
I serve as a School Resource Officer with the King George Sheriff’s Office and have been involved with D.A.R.E. for the past ten years, working to promote youth safety, leadership, and positive decision-making. I'm also the program coordinator for KGSO's summer Youth Criminal Justice... Read More →
avatar for Rob Hefner

Rob Hefner

Director, Virginia DARE Program
Rob is currently the Virginia D.A.R.E. State Program and Training Center’s Director.  He previously served on the Virginia D.A.R.E. Officers Association board as Treasurer, Vice President, President and Past President.  Rob serves with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, where... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 209
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Four Proactive Priorities for Decision Making in Schools
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 201/202
As educators and safe, caring adults in schools, we make so many decisions within a day. For equity-centered trauma informed practices to be universal and noncomplex, we apply Alex Shevrin Venet’s four proactive priorities in our interactions and relationships with students and adults, pedagogy and academics, and systems, policy, and school wide practices. Answering these four questions: Is it predictable?, Is it flexible?, Does it foster empowerment? And Does it foster connection? will help all educators and safe, caring adults in schools be proactive and improve how schools are designed to provide safe and supportive environments.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Christobelle Tan

Dr. Christobelle Tan

Transformative Social and Emotional Learning Project Specialist, San Diego County Office of Education
Dr. Christobelle Tan (Belle) is a Transformative Social and Emotional Learning Project Specialist at the San Diego County Office of Education. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics - Secondary Education, Masters of Education, and her Joint Doctor of Education in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 201/202
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

From Classroom to Command Post: Integrating School Critical Incident Response
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
This presentation provides an overview of how schools and public safety agencies coordinate their response to critical incidents such as mass attacks. The session highlights lessons learned from real-world events, the importance of multi-agency coordination, and the management of complex incidents involving law enforcement, fire/EMS, and school personnel. The curriculum is informed by the analysis of more than 780 incidents and related after action reports. The material aligns with nationally recognized guidance and best practices for incident management and school safety.
Speakers
avatar for Greg Pass

Greg Pass

Director of Training and Research, First 30 Group
Greg Pass is a retired Lieutenant from the Prince William County Police Department in the Washington, D.C. National Capital Region. As an Assistant Commander for the department's full-time SWAT team, Greg worked on several regional multi-disciplinary committees focused on preparing... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Leading the Way in Protecting Students Online: Building a Safer Digital Future Together
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
208
The Virginia Department of Education’s Internet Safety Advisory Council provides essential leadership in helping schools address modern online risks. Through this initiative, divisions gain access to recommended instructional materials and model policies that strengthen digital citizenship and enhance student protection. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies, ready‑to‑use resources, and a clear roadmap for establishing or strengthening their own Internet Safety Advisory Council.
Speakers
avatar for Calypso Gilstrap

Calypso Gilstrap

Executive Director of Innovation, Virginia Department of Education
Calypso Gilstrap is a nationally recognized leader in educational innovation and digital transformation, celebrated for her ability to connect emerging technologies with the real‑world needs of teachers and students. With more than a decade of experience shaping statewide instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
208
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Seeing Schools Through a CPTED Lens: A Guided Tour of Virginia’s New School Safety Inspection Checklist
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room A
This session orients participants to CPTED as a practical school safety lens: how design and environment shape behavior, supervision, and risk. Participants will then receive a guided tour of the School Safety Inspection Checklist structure (exterior to interior), including tips for conducting efficient walkthroughs, capturing meaningful notes, and ensuring consistent completion across diverse team members. Recommended for school administrators, SROs, emergency managers, safety specialists, and audit team members who want a clearer, more confident approach to the checklist that is required as part of the Virginia School Safety Audit program.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Simon, INCI

Kim Simon, INCI

Founder, S2C for Schools
Kim Simon is a retired Virginia law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience across patrol, undercover investigations, accreditation, crisis negotiation, and training leadership. She is nationally recognized for advancing safe, effective school–law enforcement partnerships... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room A
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Steady Minds: Empowering SROs to Help Kids Build Mental Fitness
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room C
Drawing from neuroscience, sport psychology, and real-world implementation in schools and high-performance environments, participants will learn actionable frameworks for integrating mental fitness into daily school routines — not as an “add-on program," but as a core safety and student success competency. Participants will leave with an understanding of how mental fitness reduces escalation, impulsivity, and conflict, and how SROs can play a pivotal role in guiding students through the process.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Seth Hickerson

Dr. Seth Hickerson

Founder/CEO, My Steady Mind
Dr. Hickerson is a best selling author, innovative educator, coach, entrepreneur and multi-branch military Veteran. Seth has been training high performing individuals for the last 20 years; including professional athletes, Navy SEALS, NASA, and Business Executives. Seth is a pioneer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room C
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

The Digital Drug Market: Threats, Trends, and Intervention Methods for Youth Safety
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 104/105
At the intersection of online drug trends, substance use, and gang-associated behavior, how can Digital Threat Assessment® be used as an effective methodology? With platforms such as Discord, Snapchat, and Telegram increasingly used for the illegal buying and selling of substances, Safety/Threat Assessment Teams and law enforcement can often refer to online spaces as the origin of risk-enhancing behaviors among youth. In this workshop, SST imparts tools on how to identify timely digital leakage, assess evolving drug-related coded language, and respond to worrisome digital trends. By examining real-world cases, SST will emphasize how online negative peer groups are targeting High Risk and Vulnerable Youth (HRVY) and how Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA®) continues to be fundamental in preventing tragedy.
Speakers
avatar for Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

President and CEO, 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... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Room 104/105
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

Why Would Students Come to Your School If They Didn’t Have To? Designing Safe, Caring, and Engaging Learning Communities That Students Choose
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room D
What makes a school a place students want to be—not just a place they are required to attend? In this interactive workshop, educators and leaders will explore how to design middle and high school environments and culture where safety, belonging, and engagement are inseparable—and where students build the resilience and pro-social skills needed to thrive in school and beyond. Grounded in the work of William Glasser and his five basic human needs—survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun—this session reframes classroom and school culture through a trauma-informed, learner-centered lens. Participants will examine how unmet needs often surface as disengagement or behavior challenges, and how intentional design can transform those moments into opportunities for connection, regulation, and growth. Participants will explore designs for learning that positively engage learners within the full school environment and through supportive relationship strategies in every learning space before, during, and after school. Participants will leave with strategies and practices they can immediately implement to make a difference in the lives of all young people, but especially those who do not want to be in school.
Speakers
avatar for Ira Socol

Ira Socol

Partner, Socol Moran LLC
Ira David Socol brings an extraordinary and deeply human perspective to the work of school safety—one grounded in lived experience, public service, inclusive design, and the transformation of school experiences and environments so that all students, especially those marginalized... Read More →
avatar for Pam Moran

Pam Moran

Executive Director, Virginia School Consortium for Learning (VaSCL)
Pamela R. Moran is one of the nation’s most respected educational leaders, known for translating bold vision into sustainable system-wide change. Across more than four decades of public service, she has championed the creation of school communities intentionally designed to support... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Conference Room D
  Breakout

1:00pm EDT

More Legal Issues in Schools: Where's the Line Between Enforcing the Student Code of Conduct and Enforcing the Law?
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 108/109
A deeper dive into the line between what school leaders and school security should be doing to enforce school rules - and what School Resources must do to uphold the law? Is bullying a crime. This session will provide insight into these topics using cases from the Federal Courts regarding use of force in school, cases involving juveniles, and cases involving active threats to public safety. The presentation will focus on new statutes but will also examine the debate regarding qualified immunity, with respect to law enforcement decisions to use force and situations where law enforcement may face violence at a school. Presenters will provide a strategic approach and provision of guidelines, coupled with key elements of Federal and Virginia law, all with the goal of enhancing the ability of school and police personnel to better respond to legal issues within the school environment and beyond.
Speakers
avatar for Elliott Casey

Elliott Casey

Staff Attorney, Virginia Commonwealth Attorney's Services Council
Elliott Casey is a Staff Attorney for the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council. Elliott has 15 years’ experience as a prosecutor, having served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for the County of Albemarle, the City of Alexandria and the County of Arlington... Read More →
avatar for Mandi Smith

Mandi Smith

Partner, Timberlake Smith Law
As one of the leaders of Timberlake Smith's Education Law practice, Mandi’s practice focuses on advising and representing various school boards and regional educational programs in both internal and external matters. Her practice includes the Local Government practice area, where... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 108/109
  Breakout - Longer Session

2:15pm EDT

A Systematic Framework for Digital Safety and Hope
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 203/204
As the digital landscape evolves, so must our framework for youth suicide prevention. This session provides a research-based foundation grounded within an Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for comprehensive school safety and well-being. Specifically, participants will be guided through a full continuum of suicide prevention: prevention, intervention, risk assessment, and postvention as it exists within a digital world. Moving beyond traditional risk screening and assessment interviews, this session will demonstrate how multi-disciplinary school teams can identify and interpret the "digital footprint" of a student at risk. This proactive approach equips educators and mental health professionals with key considerations for utilizing multi-source data to identify mental health needs and evaluate risk in the digital sphere. Participants will gain practical strategies and learn of tools to intervene before, during, and after life-threatening behaviors occur and foster a culture of safety, connectedness, and hope in a digital world.
Speakers
avatar for Margaret Sedor

Margaret Sedor

National Association of School Psychologist (NASP), School Psychologist and School Safety and Crisis Response Committee
Dr. Margaret A. Sedor is a nationally recognized school psychologist with over 30 years’ experience within schools, alternative education settings, residential facilities, and graduate programs. As a national expert, she facilitates training in MTSS, mental wellbeing, suicide risk... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 203/204
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Addressing Violent Online Networks Targeting Virginia’s Youth: What Educators and Public Safety Professionals Need to Know
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 102/103
This session will provide an overview of violent online networks targeting youth, including the “Edgesphere,” “COM,”, “764,” and the “True Crime Community.” Some recent acts of targeted violence, including school-based incidents, have been linked to individuals influenced by these networks. Participants will receive critical insights into how these decentralized violent online networks operate, including the structure of affiliated subnetworks and groups, common narratives and symbols used to signal affiliation, and the tactics employed to recruit, manipulate, and normalize harm. The training will address the use of disturbing content, such as extreme violence, animal cruelty, and self-harm as well as coercive and psychologically abusive behaviors designed to desensitize and control vulnerable youth. A key component of this training is helping participants recognize potential behavioral indicators and warning signs of youth involvement in violent online networks. The training will also help participants better understand how this information can inform early identification, reporting, and prevention efforts within school and community settings.
Speakers
KL

Krystal Laine

Criminal Intelligence Division / VSP BTAM and Fusion Center Liaison, Hanover County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Krystal Laine has dedicated her career to serving and protecting the citizens of Hanover County, the community where she was born and raised. She joined the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice... Read More →
avatar for Bethany Sajan

Bethany Sajan

Senior Intelligence Analyst, Virginia Fusion Center
Bethany Sajan is a Senior Intelligence Analyst on the Counter-Terrorism Team at the Virginia Fusion Center (VFC), which is a part of the Virginia State Police (VSP) Strategic and Tactical Intelligence Directorate. This team collects and disseminates information regarding foreign and... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 102/103
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Beyond the Badge: Bringing School Safety Into Focus Through Community-Minded Leadership
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room B
Provides actionable prevention and planning strategies while also serving as a bridge to the full Advanced SRO course. The objective would be to equip SROs to confidently communicate safety concerns and lead productive conversations with school leadership.
Speakers
avatar for Von Hill

Von Hill

Captain (Retired), Executive Strategies, LLC
Captain Von L. Hill (Ret.) is an emerging nationally recognized school safety consultant, public safety leader, and instructor with more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement, school safety, emergency management, leadership development, and community partnership building... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room B
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Beyond the School Walls: A Collaborative Approach to School Safety
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 207
Many school safety incidents begin outside the classroom—in neighborhoods, on social media, or within the community. This presentation highlights how the Office of the Attorney General is advancing a prevention-focused approach that strengthens parent notification, early intervention, community partnerships, and coordinated responses between schools and law enforcement. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to build trust, improve communication, and prevent violence before it reaches the school campus.

 

Speakers
TE

Torey Edmonds

Director of Crime Reduction Initiative, Office of the Attorney General

avatar for Willie Ruffin Jr.

Willie Ruffin Jr.

SRO, Richmond City Police Department
12 1/2 Veteran with Richmond Police DepartmentDefensive Tactics Instructor (current) Former CIT (Crisis) Instructor SRO (school resource officer (current) Former EPU (Executive Protection) (4 1/2 years)Strength & Conditioning coach (JM High School) These Are They - Community Org... Read More →
OT

Ossie Trawick

Chief Operations Officer, Va League for Safer Streets
We are a nonprofit located in Richmond, VA.  We serve underserved youth and young adults, returning citizens, and currently incarcerated citizens. Each year we host 3 basketball sessions that bring out over 200 youths and young adults from various underserved communities in Richmond... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 207
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Cannabis & Youth: What School Safety Professionals Should Know
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 106/107
As cannabis and vaping products continue to evolve, so do the risks they pose to student health, learning environments, and overall school safety. This session, led by the Cannabis Control Authority, offers a look through the “lens on school safety” at emerging trends in youth cannabis and vape use, product types commonly encountered in Virginia schools, and the impacts on student wellbeing and campus climate. Participants will learn about the new cannabis laws in Virginia, the roles of each agency in regulation, the risks of underage use, and what schools should do with confiscated products. The session will also highlight evidence-informed prevention approaches, strategies for strengthening school policies, and ways to collaborate with families, community partners, and state resources to reduce incidents and promote safer school environments. Attendees will leave with practical tools, up-to-date guidance, and a clearer understanding of how to support safer, healthier K–12 communities.
Speakers
avatar for Brianna Bonnat

Brianna Bonnat

Director of Public Health & Engagement, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Brianna Bonat joined the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority in June 2022 and currently serves as the Director of Public Health and Engagement. In this role, Brianna oversees administrative, analytical, and educational efforts to support the public health focus of the Authority’s... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 106/107
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Considerations for Making Sound School Safety Equipment Purchasing Decisions
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 205
Across the country, school divisions continue to make meaningful investments in security technology, emergency plans, and training. Yet many K–12 leaders still wrestle with fundamental questions: How do I know our school safety investments actually work? Is our safety and security approach designed around our schools’ unique risks and needs? Are our investments strategic and sustainable for today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges? And as school leaders, how do we ensure we are building a coherent safety system—rather than a patchwork of fixes? In this session, Drawing on a decade of work with divisions of every size, Hough—former senior federal school-safety official—will outline why compliance-driven approaches often stall and what it looks like to move toward holistic, risk-based safety systems that support not only survival, but learning, growth, and development. This is not a session about buying the next tool. It is about building the conditions in which young people feel safe to learn, belong, and thrive.

Speakers
avatar for Don Hough

Don Hough

Vice-President, COSECURE
Don Hough serves as Vice President at COSECURE, where he leads the firm’s work to advance integrated approaches to physical security, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness in schools. Don brings more than 15 years of experience leading complex safety and resilience initiatives... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 205
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Four Proactive Priorities for Decision Making in Schools
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 201/202
As educators and safe, caring adults in schools, we make so many decisions within a day. For equity-centered trauma informed practices to be universal and noncomplex, we apply Alex Shevrin Venet’s four proactive priorities in our interactions and relationships with students and adults, pedagogy and academics, and systems, policy, and school wide practices. Answering these four questions: Is it predictable?, Is it flexible?, Does it foster empowerment? And Does it foster connection? will help all educators and safe, caring adults in schools be proactive and improve how schools are designed to provide safe and supportive environments.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Christobelle Tan

Dr. Christobelle Tan

Transformative Social and Emotional Learning Project Specialist, San Diego County Office of Education
Dr. Christobelle Tan (Belle) is a Transformative Social and Emotional Learning Project Specialist at the San Diego County Office of Education. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics - Secondary Education, Masters of Education, and her Joint Doctor of Education in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 201/202
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

From Classroom to Command Post: Integrating School Critical Incident Response
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
This presentation provides an overview of how schools and public safety agencies coordinate their response to critical incidents such as mass attacks. The session highlights lessons learned from real-world events, the importance of multi-agency coordination, and the management of complex incidents involving law enforcement, fire/EMS, and school personnel. The curriculum is informed by the analysis of more than 780 incidents and related after action reports. The material aligns with nationally recognized guidance and best practices for incident management and school safety.
Speakers
avatar for Greg Pass

Greg Pass

Director of Training and Research, First 30 Group
Greg Pass is a retired Lieutenant from the Prince William County Police Department in the Washington, D.C. National Capital Region. As an Assistant Commander for the department's full-time SWAT team, Greg worked on several regional multi-disciplinary committees focused on preparing... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Leading the Way in Protecting Students Online: Building a Safer Digital Future Together
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
208
The Virginia Department of Education’s Internet Safety Advisory Council provides essential leadership in helping schools address modern online risks. Through this initiative, divisions gain access to recommended instructional materials and model policies that strengthen digital citizenship and enhance student protection. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies, ready‑to‑use resources, and a clear roadmap for establishing or strengthening their own Internet Safety Advisory Council.
Speakers
avatar for Calypso Gilstrap

Calypso Gilstrap

Executive Director of Innovation, Virginia Department of Education
Calypso Gilstrap is a nationally recognized leader in educational innovation and digital transformation, celebrated for her ability to connect emerging technologies with the real‑world needs of teachers and students. With more than a decade of experience shaping statewide instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
208
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Seeing Schools Through a CPTED Lens: A Guided Tour of Virginia’s New School Safety Inspection Checklist
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room A
This session orients participants to CPTED as a practical school safety lens: how design and environment shape behavior, supervision, and risk. Participants will then receive a guided tour of the School Safety Inspection Checklist structure (exterior to interior), including tips for conducting efficient walkthroughs, capturing meaningful notes, and ensuring consistent completion across diverse team members. Recommended for school administrators, SROs, emergency managers, safety specialists, and audit team members who want a clearer, more confident approach to the checklist that is required as part of the Virginia School Safety Audit program.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Simon, INCI

Kim Simon, INCI

Founder, S2C for Schools
Kim Simon is a retired Virginia law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience across patrol, undercover investigations, accreditation, crisis negotiation, and training leadership. She is nationally recognized for advancing safe, effective school–law enforcement partnerships... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room A
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Steady Minds: Empowering SROs to Help Kids Build Mental Fitness
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room C
Drawing from neuroscience, sport psychology, and real-world implementation in schools and high-performance environments, participants will learn actionable frameworks for integrating mental fitness into daily school routines — not as an “add-on program," but as a core safety and student success competency. Participants will leave with an understanding of how mental fitness reduces escalation, impulsivity, and conflict, and how SROs can play a pivotal role in guiding students through the process.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Seth Hickerson

Dr. Seth Hickerson

Founder/CEO, My Steady Mind
Dr. Hickerson is a best selling author, innovative educator, coach, entrepreneur and multi-branch military Veteran. Seth has been training high performing individuals for the last 20 years; including professional athletes, Navy SEALS, NASA, and Business Executives. Seth is a pioneer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room C
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

The Digital Drug Market: Threats, Trends, and Intervention Methods for Youth Safety
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 104/105
At the intersection of online drug trends, substance use, and gang-associated behavior, how can Digital Threat Assessment® be used as an effective methodology? With platforms such as Discord, Snapchat, and Telegram increasingly used for the illegal buying and selling of substances, Safety/Threat Assessment Teams and law enforcement can often refer to online spaces as the origin of risk-enhancing behaviors among youth. In this workshop, SST imparts tools on how to identify timely digital leakage, assess evolving drug-related coded language, and respond to worrisome digital trends. By examining real-world cases, SST will emphasize how online negative peer groups are targeting High Risk and Vulnerable Youth (HRVY) and how Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA®) continues to be fundamental in preventing tragedy.
Speakers
avatar for Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

President and CEO, 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... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room 104/105
  Breakout

2:15pm EDT

Why Would Students Come to Your School If They Didn’t Have To? Designing Safe, Caring, and Engaging Learning Communities That Students Choose
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room D
What makes a school a place students want to be—not just a place they are required to attend? In this interactive workshop, educators and leaders will explore how to design middle and high school environments and culture where safety, belonging, and engagement are inseparable—and where students build the resilience and pro-social skills needed to thrive in school and beyond. Grounded in the work of William Glasser and his five basic human needs—survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun—this session reframes classroom and school culture through a trauma-informed, learner-centered lens. Participants will examine how unmet needs often surface as disengagement or behavior challenges, and how intentional design can transform those moments into opportunities for connection, regulation, and growth. Participants will explore designs for learning that positively engage learners within the full school environment and through supportive relationship strategies in every learning space before, during, and after school. Participants will leave with strategies and practices they can immediately implement to make a difference in the lives of all young people, but especially those who do not want to be in school.
Speakers
avatar for Ira Socol

Ira Socol

Partner, Socol Moran LLC
Ira David Socol brings an extraordinary and deeply human perspective to the work of school safety—one grounded in lived experience, public service, inclusive design, and the transformation of school experiences and environments so that all students, especially those marginalized... Read More →
avatar for Pam Moran

Pam Moran

Executive Director, Virginia School Consortium for Learning (VaSCL)
Pamela R. Moran is one of the nation’s most respected educational leaders, known for translating bold vision into sustainable system-wide change. Across more than four decades of public service, she has championed the creation of school communities intentionally designed to support... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Conference Room D
  Breakout

3:30pm EDT

Clarifying the Threat - Understanding and Responding to Anonymous Threats and Swatting
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
Anonymous threats and swatting incidents continue to escalate nationwide, leaving schools and communities grappling with uncertainty, fear, and operational disruption. Dr. Gombos and SA LeBlanc will provide firsthand insight into the complex dynamics behind these threats and the real-world challenges they create for educators and law enforcement. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of why swatting occurs, how anonymous threats are evaluated, and what coordinated strategies can strengthen prevention, communication, and response efforts. Through expert perspectives and practical guidance, this session aims to equip participants with clearer frameworks for decision-making and enhanced readiness for these increasingly sophisticated incidents.
Speakers
avatar for Kathleen Gombos

Kathleen Gombos

Principal, Sandy Hook School
Dr. Kathy Gombos is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Principal Recovery Network (PRN), and Principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School in New Town, Connecticut. Appointed in 2013, Dr. Gombos has led the Sandy Hook Elementary School community... Read More →
avatar for Brian LeBlanc

Brian LeBlanc

Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Brian LeBlanc is a Supervisory Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Boston Division, assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Since joining the FBI in 2007, he has specialized in complex counterterrorism investigations and threat mitigation as a... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Keynote #A5D800
 

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