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«Back to all edWebinarsRethinking School Safety: Building a Culture of Prevention, Protection, and Preparedness
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Joe McKenna, Ph.D., Former Deputy Superintendent and National School Safety Trainer; and Katherine Schweit, Attorney, Author, Retired FBI Executive, Schweit Consulting LLC
Sponsored by Navigate360
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Is your school truly safe or just secure on the surface? Join national school safety experts Dr. Joe McKenna and Katherine Schweit for a timely and actionable edLeader Panel discussion on what it really takes to protect today’s schools physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
As school leaders navigate rising threats, growing mental health needs, and public pressure, many are realizing that visible security measures aren’t enough. This session will explore how to move beyond surface-level solutions and build a culture of safety that brings together physical security, mental well-being, behavioral intervention, and emergency preparedness into one connected, simplified strategy.
You’ll walk away with:
- A clear understanding of today’s school safety landscape
- Insight into how behavior and mental health support prevention
- A practical framework for proactive, comprehensive safety planning
Regardless of your specific role, if you’re responsible for keeping K-12 schools safe, supported, and prepared, this edLeader Panel will help you connect the dots and lead with confidence.
About the Presenters
Dr. Joseph M. McKenna has served in numerous capacities with state and local government as well as in the non-profit and private sector, advocating for evidence-based school safety strategies. Dr. McKenna served as the Director of School Safety in WestEd’s Justice and Prevention Research Center, where he conducted research, evaluation, policy analysis, and provided technical assistance to schools. Prior to WestEd, Dr. McKenna served as the Deputy Superintendent for Comal ISD (TX), where he oversaw all operational aspects of the district, including safety, security, and nursing; counseling and student support; child nutrition, transportation, technology; and facilities. Prior to that, Dr. McKenna served as the Executive Director of Safety and Student Support, where he was responsible for ensuring district compliance with all state and federal requirements related to school safety. He also spent over seven years at the Texas School Safety Center, leaving as the Associate Director. Dr. McKenna received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in criminal justice from Texas State University in 2016.
Katherine Schweit is an author, former prosecutor, and retired FBI special agent. She is the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis and a sought-after world expert in mass shootings, incident response, and crisis communications. She is the author of the dual-titled book, A Simple Guide to the Second Amendment/How to Talk About Guns with Anyone, teaching the subject as a professor at DePaul University School of Law. In her latest book, Women Who Talk to the Dead, she marries forensics and investigations with compelling storytelling to share the messy business of digging up cold case murder victims. This true crime narrative delves into the cost of discarding part of humanity.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the School Health & Safety community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Navigate360 is leading a transformative movement in safety, redefining the concept of “safe” to encompass not only physical security, but the emotional well-being of all people. As the leading provider of holistic safety and well-being solutions, Navigate360 empowers organizations with the software, training, and technology necessary to cultivate the safest possible environments where people can learn, work, and gather.
