From Education to Action: School Security Summit
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Event Details
Gain Knowledge – Take Action
School safety demands more than just awareness—it requires action. The Education to Action School Security Summit delivers expert-driven, actionable solutions designed for educators, administrators, and school safety professionals. This one-day event equips participants with practical strategies to prevent violence, enhance security, and protect students in an evolving digital and physical landscape.
Date: June 25, 2025
Time: 8:00-5:00
Location: Martins Crosswinds, Greenbelt, MD
Schedule:
8:00-9:00
Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00-11:00
Why We Need School Threat Assessment and How it Works
Keynote Speaker, Dewey Cornell, PhD
11:00-12:00
Protecting Children From Emerging Online Threats
Keynote Speaker, Joanna Clodfelter, Stellr Defense
12:00 -4:00
Exhibit Hall Opens
12:00-1:00
Lunch
1:00-4:00
Breakout Sessions:
Please choose your top three choices for breakout sessions. We will do our best to accommodate your top two choices. Participants will rotate through two of our offerings and the third session will include 30 minutes in our exhibit hall and a presentation by the National Center for School Safety.
- Comprehensive Safety: Putting it all Together
Justin Heinze, PhD
Emily Torres, MPH
National Center for School Safety - Stop the Bleed training
Center for Injury Prevention and Policy, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland Baltimore - A.L.I.V.E Active Shooter Survival Training
Scott Bakka, Trifecta Security - Three Keys to Effective School Security
Paul Timm, Allegion - Disrupting the Pathway to Violence: Practical Prevention for School Leaders
Simon Osamoh, Kingswood Security - Creating Respectful School Climates: Bullying Prevention, Policy, and Tech Tools that Work
Rob Hackenson, Jr., Dynamic Influence, Creator of the WellHubs App - Digital Lockdown: A Cybersecurity Tabletop Discussion for K–12 Professionals
Mike Olson, 360 Security Services
4:15-4:45
Closing Address
Christin Kinman, MPH, Allegion
Meet Our Featured Speakers
Dewey Cornell, PhD
Dr. Cornell holds the Virgil Ward Chair as Professor of Education in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia. Author of more than 300 publications in psychology and education, Dr. Cornell’s career has focused on school safety and the prevention of youth violence. He became interested in the prevention of youth violence in the 1980s when he worked as a forensic clinical psychologist evaluating and treating violent offenders. After contributing to the FBI study of school shootings in 1999, he led the development of school threat assessment guidelines in Virginia, now called the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG). With funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, he has conducted a series of studies over the past 25 years on the safety and effectiveness of behavioral threat assessment and management in schools.
Why We Need School Threat Assessment and How it Works
As developer of the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), Dr. Cornell will explain why we need behavioral threat assessment and management in schools and how it can be used safely and effectively. Dr. Cornell will review the CSTAG process and the five-step decision-tree it uses to distinguish transient threats that are not serious and can be easily resolved from substantive threats that pose a serious risk of violence and require protective actions and a safety plan. Videos of threat assessment interviews will illustrate the different kinds of cases. Dr. Cornell will also address concerns about the use of law enforcement in schools and present evidence that SROs are valuable members of the school’s multidisciplinary team. He will review research showing that CSTAG produces fair and equitable outcomes for student groups defined by race/ethnicity, family income, or disability status. There will be time for Q & A, so bring your questions.
Joanna Clodfelter
Protecting Children From Emerging Online Threats
As technology evolves, so do the tactics of those who seek to exploit children online. In this compelling keynote, Joanna Clodfelter unpacks the rapidly shifting digital landscape and reveals how predators are leveraging emerging tools – including AI, chatbots, and manipulative social engineering – to reach children in increasingly covert ways.
Drawing from a deeply personal experience involving her own child’s preschool, Joanna illustrates how even trusted institutions may, unknowingly, contribute to a child’s vulnerability, particularly through common digital marketing practices.
Joanna will guide attendees through the latest developments in online child exploitation. The session explores why certain children may face heightened risk, which platforms are most frequently used by predators, and how to recognize the warning signs of exploitation. Attendees will gain a stronger understanding of prevention strategies, available support resources, and the steps schools can take to foster safer digital environments.
Both eye-opening and actionable, this session equips educators and school leaders with the insight they need to shift perspectives, spark urgency, and take meaningful steps to protect the students in their care from emerging online threats.
Justin Heinze, PhD
Dr. Justin Heinze is currently an associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity in the School of Public Health and holds an appointment with the Combined Program in Education and Psychology. His research investigates how schools influence disparities in violence and other risk outcomes from an ecological perspective that includes individual, interpersonal, and contextual influences on development. He is particularly interested in structural features of school context and policy that perpetuate inequity in violence and firearm outcomes, but also how these institutions can serve as a setting for intervention. He is the Director of the National Center for School Safety, the faculty lead for Public Health IDEAS for Preventing Firearm Injury, and principal investigator of the Healthy Minds Study.
Comprehensive Safety: Putting it all Together
School safety has so many moving pieces and strategies to consider – the overwhelm can be real! Our comprehensive school safety model can provide a framework to organize and streamline efforts while identifying any gaps in your planning. Join to learn more and hear about free resources from the National Center for School Safety that can help!
Emily Torres, MPH
Emily Torres, MPH is the Managing Director of the National Center for School Safety at the University of Michigan. She has experience with youth violence prevention, community engagement, and providing technical assistance to schools to improve health and safety. Her areas of interest also include positive youth development, partnership development, and policies and systems change work. She holds a Master’s in Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Equity from the University of Michigan.
Stop the Bleed training
The person next to a bleeding victim may very well be the one who’s most likely to save him or her from bleeding to death. By learning how to control bleeding, you’ll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding once you learn three quick techniques. The number 1 cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. That’s why we want to train you how to stop the bleed.
Natausha Coates, BSN, RN, CCHP,
a registered nurse, educator, and former law enforcement professional with over 20 years of experience across healthcare, criminal justice, and public health. Her multidisciplinary background spans emergency nursing, correctional health, and compliance, giving her a unique lens on the intersections of trauma, justice, and community care.
She is the developer of the SMART and SMARTer Programs at Shock Trauma, hospital-based initiatives that provide first-time youth offenders with mentorship, life skills, and positive pathways forward. Her work is grounded in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach that empowers young people while fostering collaboration across systems—courts, healthcare, schools, and community partners.
Known for her practical insight, compassionate leadership, and deep commitment to vulnerable populations, Natausha is an advocate working to create safer, healthier futures for youth and families impacted by violence.
Brianna Rock, MPH, LCSW
a committed social worker and public health leader with a proven record of advancing the quality of services for high-risk populations. Throughout her career, she has strengthened systems by developing robust protocols through a trauma-informed lens. She has worked diligently to provide comprehensive and coordinated case management services that aim to reduce re-traumatization. In New Orleans, Brianna played a critical role in convening stakeholders to bridge service gaps and build a more holistic continuum of care.
Her direct practice experience includes providing crisis counseling and case management for victims of crime and abuse, providing support services for non-offending family members, and strategically advocating for process and policy changes that reflect best practices. Additionally, she prioritizes deepening her understanding of client-centered, trauma-responsive approaches that support healing.
As the newly appointed Violence Prevention Program Supervisor at University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center, Brianna now leads efforts to prevent and intervene in violence through education, outreach, and systemic change initiatives. She is passionate about fostering safer communities by applying her clinical expertise, strategic planning skills, and public health perspective.
Scott Bakka
A.L.I.V.E Active Shooter Survival Training
The A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training program is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond effectively in life-threatening situations, such as active shooter incidents, terrorist attacks, and workplace violence. The course follows the A.L.I.V.E. methodology, which stands for:
- Assess – Quickly evaluate the situation to determine the best course of action.
- Leave – Escape the area if possible to avoid danger.
- Impede – Take measures to slow down or obstruct the attacker.
- Violence – Use force as a last resort to protect yourself and others.
- Expose – Carefully reveal your position only when it is safe to do so.
This training emphasizes situational awareness, decision-making, and survival strategies to help participants react swiftly and effectively in high-stress scenarios.
Paul Timm, PSP
Paul Timm, Director of Education Safety at Allegion, is a board-certified Physical Security Professional (PSP). He is the author of “School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program” and the host of “The Changing Face of School Security” podcast. Paul was named one of the Most Influential People in Security in 2020 by Security Magazine.
In addition to having conducted more than 2,000 vulnerability assessments and his frequent keynote addresses, Paul is an experienced School Crisis Assistance Team volunteer through the National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA). He serves on the Campus Safety Conferences Advisory Board, the Advisory Council for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, the ASIS International School Safety and Security Community, and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials Risk Management Committee.
Paul is certified in Vulnerability Assessment Methodology (VAM) through Sandia National Laboratories and the ALPHA vulnerability assessment methodology. Paul holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary.
Three Keys to Effective School Security
The “it can’t happen here” mindset is both incorrect and potentially debilitating from a loss prevention and emergency preparedness standpoint. How can schools effectively change the culture without scaring teachers and staff into submission? This highly interactive and practical presentation will equip attendees with a variety of ways to heighten safety awareness. From engaging photo identification and video exercises to positive reinforcement and appropriate student involvement, don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to lead individuals to personally invest in making the learning environment safer!
Simon Osamoh
Born and raised in England, Simon C. Osamoh is the founder and CEO of Kingswood Security Consulting, a Minneapolis based security risk management firm.
Simon first moved to the United States to Head Counter Terrorism at Mall of America, Minnesota. The largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America where he oversaw counterterrorism and the internationally recognized behavior risk assessment program. He quickly established himself as one of the country’s leading experts on security at soft targets where his work gained national media attention.
He spent 14 years as a Detective in England working organized crime. One of his notable cases includes working with the British Security Services during the investigation of the “liquid bomb terrorism plot” against the U.S.A in 2006, which changed aviation security regulations worldwide limiting the amount of liquids that can be taken onto planes.
Simon is a former Director of Risk and Compliance having worked for three of America’s
largest financial institutions that include Wells Fargo, US Bank, and Equiniti Trust Company. Here he oversaw programs that included risk management, business continuity, crisis management, anti-bribery and corruption, regulatory compliance, quality assurance testing programs and third-party risk.
He is the author of two Amazon bestselling books, 10 Powerful Strategies for Conflict De-Escalation and Securing Church Operations. Simon’s work on conversational interviewing is featured in the award-winning book How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic by Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of The Violence Project. Simon is the editor of security connections for Worship Facility and serves as a member of the editorial advisory board.
He has previously served as Chair of the Program Committee for InfraGard Minnesota and is a graduate of the FBI Citizens program.
Disrupting the Pathway to Violence: Practical Prevention for School Leaders
This presentation equips school leaders, administrators, and educators with the knowledge to recognize and interrupt the pathway to targeted violence before it escalates. Drawing on key research of targeted violence, we’ll explore the commonalities in those who commit acts of violence, the behavioral warning signs to watch for, and how schools can build a proactive safety culture. While the session will touch on mass violence, the focus is broader addressing all forms of targeted harm that threaten today’s school environments. Participants will engage in interactive tabletop discussions designed to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios and strengthen their response strategies.
Rob Hackenson, Jr.
Creating Respectful School Climates: Bullying Prevention, Policy, and Tech Tools that Work
How do we move from reactive discipline to proactive culture-building in our schools?
In this powerful and thought-provoking session, internationally recognized speaker Robert Hackenson Jr. explores how schools can prevent bullying, build stronger connections, and create climates where students feel safe, seen, and supported. Using a unique blend of storytelling, research, and real-world solutions, Robert breaks down what’s really driving student conflict – and what we can do about it.
Educators will:
- Unpack the rising challenge of students lacking key soft skills like effective communication, inclusivity, and conflict resolution.
- Discover how smartphone use and unclear policies can unintentionally erode school culture
- Learn practical, immediately usable strategies to foster respect, improve behavior, and promote unity
Robert also introduces an innovative tech solution: a customizable digital wellness hub designed to connect students, staff, and parents with essential school and local resources and supports – all in one accessible platform.
This is more than a presentation – it’s a call to action for schools ready to shift from reacting to incidents to intentionally creating cultures where everyone can thrive.
Mike Olson
Mike completed a full career in the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) as a Senior Special Agent with over 22 years of successful experience in global law enforcement, protection, emergency management, high profile federal/state fraud investigations, and cyber and electronic crime investigations, having served multiple assignments in Chicago, IL, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mike held a Top Secret (SCI) Security Clearance. Mike has also proudly served as a St. Paul, MN Police Officer and in the field of retail Loss Prevention with several different major retail companies.
Mike initiated, led, and directed multiple complex federal and state fraud and cyber/electronic crime investigations involving major transnational organized crime groups with a combined risk exposure in excess of $24.1 billion. Mike developed the strategy and managed investigations as the U.S. Secret Service supervisor of the MN Financial and Electronic Crimes Task Force.
Digital Lockdown: A Cybersecurity Tabletop Discussion for K–12 Professionals
Cybersecurity threats aren’t just an IT problem anymore—they’re a growing risk to student safety, school operations, and your daily routines. From ransomware attacks to sextortion threats on social media, schools are on the front lines. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tech expert to take action.
In this interactive and non-technical 50-minute session, you’ll walk through real-world school scenarios—like a Monday morning ransomware lockdown or a student’s private photo going viral—and learn what to do, who to call, and how to keep your school community safer. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just practical steps, clear guidance, and resources you can use right away.
Cybersecurity is everyone’s job—let’s make it approachable, actionable, and built for schools.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, administrator, counselor, or support staff, this session will help you better understand cybersecurity risks and take control of your school’s digital safety. You’ll leave with a personalized action checklist, ideas for free or affordable support options (like law enforcement, government, or virtual cybersecurity partners), and the confidence to be part of the solution.
Christin Kinman, MPH
Christin is an End-User Consultant for Allegion. She is an active member of ASIS, and sits on the Security Standards Technical Committee, which is responsible for developing an international standard for school security. She has worked with CISA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, to review its guidance documents on physical security for schools and Houses of Worship. She has been featured in multiple industry publications, and has spoken nationally about planning for physical security, the importance layered security, and how to procure outside funding for security improvements. During her tenure as a facilities project manager in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Christin successfully obtained over $4 million in grant funding to enhance security throughout archdiocese schools and churches.
