Teaching with Valor A Veteran's Perspective Podcast "Welcome to the Show"

Welcome to the very first episode of the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we will focus on issues facing public education today as well as, advocating for educators everywhere. I'm your host, Don Fessenden, and I'm excited to embark on this journey with you.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:10

Welcome to the very first episode of the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we will focus on issues facing public education today as well as, advocating for educators everywhere. I'm your host, Don Fessenden, and I'm excited to embark on this journey with you. Before we dive into today’s topic, let me tell you a bit about myself and why I'm so passionate about the issues we'll be discussing on this podcast. I've been an educator for more than 35 years. While my teaching career began while in the military, I’ve spent the last 19 years in secondary public education as a Aerospace Science Instructor. I hold teaching certifications in Psychology, Business, Health, and Military Science. In addition, I earned the Connecticut 092 Administrator Certification as well. And I was also a high school dropout, misunderstood teen,and author. Over the course of my career in education, I've seen firsthand the challenges facing our educational system and why I’ve decided to dedicate my next chapter to making our schools safer and more supportive of both students and educators. In addition to my work as a teacher, I also had the opportunity to be a member of the Norwalk High School Safety Committee for 13 years, as well as the Norwalk High School Governance Committee. In these roles I advocated for school safety and educational policy reform. In this podcast I will step outside the traditional confines of public education. It’s my hope that we can bring about meaningful change to public education that benefits everyone in our communities. Our mission is to address the most critical issues facing our schools today. We’ll explore topics like how to enhance school security, and advocate for educational policy reform when we believe it’s needed. We want to provide our listeners with practical insights, strategies, and resources that you can use in your own schools and communities. In each episode we will share our own knowledge as well as feature research driven data. We also will search for real-world examples, when possible. Finally, we will provide listeners with actionable tips to help you make a positive impact within your school’s community. As we look to the future, we plan to create a“Perspectives” segment where we will interview educators from every educational specialty. We also intend to shine a light on current policies and practices that have been adopted by school districts that need to change. Of course, these opinions may not be popular or received well, we understand at times we may be stirring the pot on policy already in action. However, we are driven by our mission to improve the United States educational system, not win a popularity contest. So, without further ado, let’s dive into today’s topic: Enhancing School Security Measures. Ensuring the safety and security of students and staff is paramount in today’s world. Unfortunately, most schools are merely walking through the required monthly emergency exercises. First, let’s understand the threat landscape. Schools today face a range of security threats, from physical violence to cyber threats and natural disasters. Recent statistics show that incidents of school violence and cyber-attacks are on the rise, making it more crucial than ever to have robust security measures in place. But what does enhancing school security actually look like? Let’s talk about some best practices. One key approach is the implementation of access control systems. These systems can help regulate who enters and exits the school, ensuring that only authorized individuals are allowed on campus. Surveillance cameras are another essential tool, providing real-time monitoring and recording of school premises. Visitor management protocols are also vital. Schools should have clear procedures for checking in visitors, verifying their identity, and ensuring they have a legitimate reason to be on campus. Additionally, establishing a comprehensive emergency response plan and conducting regular drills can prepare students and staff to react swiftly and effectively in case of an emergency. It's important that no one is allowed to opt-out of drills, also districts should audit the different drill process to ensure the effectiveness of each drill. Where all schools have plans in place very few actually audit the effectiveness and even fewer contract outside district evaluators for the most effective safety audits. I believe it's a best practice that should be adopted by all district schools. One example that I witnessed routinely during actual evacuation drills was the lack of accountability of all students. A process should be in place to ensure students stay with their class and don't wonder around during the drill. The attitude I saw repeatedly was it's only an exercise which is a huge mistake. Those in charge seem to go through the motions hoping to cause as little conflict as possible. This attitude needs to change, and must be implemented from the highest levels in school districts. Until these actions are implemented, schools will continue to just go through the motions, until a real emergency happens and then district leadership will be forced to answer the criticism following an incident. Moving forward, all newly built schools should think about incorporating some of the innovative technologies that are making waves in school security. For instance, facial recognition systems can quickly identify individuals and flag unauthorized persons. Gunshot detection technology can instantly alert law enforcement and school officials in the event of a shooting. Mobile panic buttons allow staff to discreetly call for help if they feel threatened. While these technologies offer significant benefits, it’s important to consider potential drawbacks, such as privacy concerns and the financial costs of implementation. Schools must weigh these factors carefully to make informed decisions. Of these technologies, the mobile panic button is my favorite and should be added to every classroom in newly built schools. One critical aspect of enhancing school security is balancing safety with inclusivity. We want our schools to be secure, but we also want them to be welcoming and supportive environments. Overly restrictive measures can create a climate of fear and anxiety, which is counterproductive to learning. Some Strategies for maintaining an inclusive atmosphere include involving students in security discussions, promoting a positive school culture, and having a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to disciplinary issues related to fighting and bullying. When schools allow this behavior to go unchecked, it almost guarantees escalation of conflict and deterioration of the school’s culture and climate. It's also important for security personnel to be trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques. However, a best practice would be to ensure all school employees receive the same or similar training. By fostering a sense of community and mutual respect, between all stakeholders we can create a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Another important area that should not be neglected is community engagement and collaboration both are also essential. Parents, students, faculty, law enforcement, and community stakeholders all have a role to play in school security. Successful examples of community partnerships include joint training exercises with local law enforcement, school safety committees that include diverse perspectives, and regular communication between schools and families about security measures. We also recommend the best practice districts can incorporate would be to hire an independent safety audit that provides a detailed report of each school strengths and weaknesses. Before we wrap up, I want to take a moment to address some common questions and concerns about school security. As we conclude today’s episode, I encourage you to take proactive steps to enhance school security in your own communities. Remember, safety is a collective responsibility, and together, we can make a difference. Thanks for joining me today! I'm Don Fessenden, and this has been Teaching with Valor. Stay safe,stay informed, and let's continue to advocate for a brighter future in education. Until next time!