Leading in Crisis: When an active shooter enters your school (R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy)
Format
Individual Presentation
Location
Ballroom E
Strand #1
Safety & Violence Prevention
Strand #2
Social & Emotional Skills
Relevance
III. “HANDS”: SAFETY & VIOLENCE PREVENTION
This hands-on and interactive presentation focuses on the foundation of student achievement, a safe and secure learning environment. Participants will learn key strategies that R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy implemented to help keep all students and staff safe when an active shooter entered the school and opened fire.
I. “HEART”: SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL SKILLS
The presentation will focus on how to put the "pieces" back together after a major school tragedy. Participants will discover powerful communication techniques and goal setting strategies that are essential in helping students and staff move forward.
Brief Program Description
Imagine an active shooter entering your school, what would you do, would your school be prepared? Learn the amazing training strategies that Principal Brian Bolden implemented to train the staff of R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy that helped all staff and students arrive home safely. This hands on presentation will provide leaders with specific strategies that will help prepare schools for the unthinkable- "an active shooter on campus".
Summary
On August 20, 2013, an active shooter entered Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy and fired shots. Shots were fired inside the school and also at police officers who arrived on campus. No students or staff were injured. Dr. Brian Bolden and the staff of R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy received praise and recognition from around the country including a call from US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan commending the leadership demonstrated. This event has been deemed the "Miracle on Second Avenue". The presentation-"Miracle on Second Avenue"- Leading in Crisis: When an active shooter enters your school (the training at R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy) will focus on the specific training techniques that helped prepare the staff to lock down the school and evacuate all students. All participants will receive copies of the PowerPoint and handouts to take home and redeliver to staff on preparing schools for a major crisis. The presentation will focus on leading before a crisis, leading during a crisis, and leading after a crisis. The presenter will also provide training on communicating with the press and a variety of stakeholders. Participants will take place in active discussions, de-escalation training, role plays, crisis scenarios, and team building activities.
Evidence
The proposal and presentation is based and supported on known research and practices from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528; www.dhs.gov
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Brian L. Bolden Executive Profile Award-winning educator, author, motivational speaker, and nationally recognized principal of R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy. Dr. Brian Bolden is an accomplished school leader with demonstrated ability to maintain a safe school, significantly improve student achievement, improve the graduation rate, reduce discipline challenges, develop and train leaders, communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, and turn a needs improvement school into a nationally ranked school of excellence as evidenced by US News and World Report 2011-2012 Best High Schools List. Professional Experience R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy June 2012 to Present DeKalb County School District, Decatur, GA Stephenson High School February 2009 to 2012 DeKalb County School District, Stone Mountain, GA Region V Instructional Coordinator April 2008 to February 2009 DeKalb County School District, Stone Mountain, GA Supported principals within the region, Assisted principals with implementing and monitoring state and local policies relating to curriculum, instruction, and assessment Professional Accomplishments: Received praise and recognition from US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for his leadership when an active shooter entered R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy and no students or staff were injured and everyone arrived home safely. Guest appearance on CNN's Piers Morgan Live and numerous media outlets to discuss school safety and leadership. Served on a panel at Agnes Scott University with representatives from the office of the U. S. Secretary of Education to address some of the challenges facing urban high school students Received prestigious Silver Award from US News and World Report for Stephenson High School achieving recognition for the 35th Best High School in Georgia and achieving a national ranking Authored book on Differentiated Instruction- You Just Don't Understand Me: Utilizing Differentiated Instructional Strategies to Reduce Classroom Discipline Challenges and Improve Student Achievement Received Proclamation from Ms. Tonya Peterson (former Mayor of Lithonia) for Creating High Expectations at Stephenson High School
Keyword Descriptors
School safety, leadership, climate, school culture, achievement, discipline
Presentation Year
2016
Start Date
3-7-2016 1:15 PM
End Date
3-7-2016 2:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Bolden, Brian L., "Leading in Crisis: When an active shooter enters your school (R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy)" (2016). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 115.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2016/2016/115
Leading in Crisis: When an active shooter enters your school (R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy)
Ballroom E
Imagine an active shooter entering your school, what would you do, would your school be prepared? Learn the amazing training strategies that Principal Brian Bolden implemented to train the staff of R.E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy that helped all staff and students arrive home safely. This hands on presentation will provide leaders with specific strategies that will help prepare schools for the unthinkable- "an active shooter on campus".