Take Care Tuesday

Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of school security with Guy, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the field. Having served as the Director of Security and Emergency Planning for Littleton Public Schools, Guy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Recognized as the 2020 Campus Safety Director of the Year and a recipient of numerous national awards, Guy shares insights from his extensive career, discussing topics ranging from technological advancements in school safety to effective emergency response strategies. As the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, Guy is at the forefront of efforts to enhance security measures in educational institutions. Tune in as we explore the challenges and innovations in securing our schools for a safer future.

In this episode we will continue the topic on school safety (November) and see what else can be done or corrected to ensure schools are safe.

In honor of Random Acts of Kinds month, we discuss the importance of Random Acts of Kindness in our schools.  A simple concept, but a school culture that is rich with inclusive, intentional, and sincere kind acts increases feelings of belonging for our students and diminishes negative thoughts which could lead to a healthier, more pleasant, and safer school environment.

Join us for a crucial episode featuring Michael Peveler, Senior Executive at Atlas IED, an innovative tech company committed to school safety. We discuss the urgent need for effective emergency communication in schools. Michael emphasizes the failures seen in past incidents due to the inability to alert staff and students promptly. Learn about the game-changing solutions Atlas IED provides, ensuring swift and comprehensive safety responses. Don't miss this concise and impactful exploration of critical communication for the safety of our students and staff. Tune in now!

Officer Thomas D. Cannon has built a commendable career in law enforcement, dedicating over nine years to serving the Pasadena Police Department. His tenure includes a significant five-year period in the Community Engagement Division, where his efforts have been instrumental in strengthening the bonds of trust and cooperation within the school community. He has embraced the AI technology and is going out showing how to use it for good. AI technology can help take vetted safety procedures and differentiate the training for our elementary, middle and high school students. The same technique can be used to assist educators in differentiating instruction.

In this episode we get to listen to two guests that see school safety in a different manner and still be proactive to ensure students to feel safe at schools.

In this epsiode we are talking with Dennis Osborn, the Regional Director for D.A.R.E. America. In this epsiode we talk about how Police and teachers can get involved with D.A.R.E. and utilize the D.A.R.E. resources to increase awareness and prevention of current drug trends affecting the United States and our schools.

In the September Take Care Tuesday episode, Matt Smith discusses the implementation of the social and emotional leaning (SEL) strategy for students in his school district, emphasizing the benefits and the reduction in disciplinary referrals resulting from the SEL programs.

Dr. Victor Keys, recently retired principal of HCDE's Academic and Behavior School (ABS) West Campus, comes this episode to share his encouragement, strategies and wisdom for teachers and administrators as they begin a new year. Dr. Keys delivers 36 years of experience and passion as an educator with great success in making strong impacts on students in difficult situations. Dr. Keys has been featured on CNN for his work at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, Texas when dealing with school drop outs. Please take a listen as he shares insight on how to motivate teachers in the classroom, keep them in the classroom and empower administrators to grow the best teachers and students.

This episode we will get some summer tips from a school Health Services expert and also see inside the active role that Health Services plays to ensure safety of students, staff, and community.

This episode is a continuation of our conversation with Gary Sigrist, the CEO of Safeguard Risk Solutions, which is a national known organization that serves the safety needs of schools. In this episode we continue our discussion of the five layers of school safety. In the first episode we discussed: emergency managment, planning, training, drills and exercises. In this second episode we talk about: hardware/ software and creating a positive school climate to keep our students and staff safe.

Gary L. Sigrist, Jr is a nationally known speaker, consultant and expert on emergency preparedness. His career spans for more than 30 years as an educator, administrator and police officer. He retired from a large school district in Ohio where he served as a School Safety Director. Sigrist’s background in both education and law enforcement gives him a unique perspective on safety and preparedness. On this episode Gary Sigrist shares some of his knowledge and experience about what he calls the layers of school safety. In this episode we will discuss 3 of the 5 layers:

Planning, Training and Exercises.

We all know it is more than test scores; leaders must pour into the staff and students and ensure they have filled themselves. Join us on this month's podcast as we talk to 3 dynamic female Campus Principals to celebrate Women's History Month.

The dialogue with Courtney Waters, Lisa Langston, and Dr. Regina Sims helps navigate us through ways to ensure campuses are emotionally safe and secure.

This episode will focus on two important questions:  "Are your students okay?" and "What is the vibe on your campus?"  Mark Sims, Principal of Endeavor High School in Channelview ISD, will take you through how he uses a tool called School Pulse to check the pulse of the students on his campus.  He outlines the anonymous nature of students inputting the information after opting into the program.  The tool allows his staff access to a dashboard and messaging that gives a real-time measure of the level of anxiety on the campus.  Mark is open to you contacting him for more information on the tool and how he uses it by emailing him at mark.sims@cvisd.org.  Take the time to listen and learn about how this information can increase the safety and security in your environment   

We often advocate for self-care, but how often do we ourselves engage in it?  Self-care is individual and important.  Dr. Strahan provides us with a definition of self-care and will give us a few ideas of activities we could find beneficial.  

October is  National Bullying Prevention month.  1 of 5 students are bullied in high school but bullying rate in middle school is higher at 28% based on a CDC 2019 study.  Our guest for this episode is  Jason Brown, lead counselor at Quail Valley Middle School in Fort Bend ISD in Missouri City, Texas.  During this episode Jason leads us to through a discussion on bullying in middle school.    Jason provides a perspective on how to combat the bullying environment by providing students with more opportunities to connect,  express their creativity and imagination while at the same time gaining their voice to become stronger in bullying situations.  Jason has many layers to this conversation.  If you would like to follow Jason's work with youth go to his website www.fortyonefortytwo.com.

We are joined by Dr. Keon Banks, teacher and sponsor of Peer Mediation at Humble High School, and two students, senior and organization president, Ronin Quintero, and junior leader Ciera Glover.  Humble High School has had a fully implemented peer mediation organization for two years, and they will discussion how to start a peer support organization on your campus, what qualities do students develop as they support their peers, and what affects their organization has had on the campus.  

Welcome back to part two of our 2nd anniversary podcast with international safety expert, Michael Dorn, executive director of Safe Havens International.  Michael will highlight strategic areas for school safety from implementing security solutions to increasing the fidelity in our safety response drills by testing, measuring and documenting.  He also cautions the listeners  to not become so laser focus on one aspect of school safety that we lose sight of other risks on school campuses.

Our very first podcast guest Michael Dorn, Executive Director of Safe Havens International, is back to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. He will share his passion and expertise in the national school safety arena.  This episode will highlight  the importance of always working on culture and climate when focusing on school safety.  Mr. Dorn reminds us to be very careful not to damage the school's culture in our rush to put physical safety measures in place.  

We welcome Coach Kelvin Sampson to Take Care Tuesday. A Former Houston Rockets coach and longtime college veteran Kelvin Sampson joined the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program as its head coach in April 2014.

As a 33-year head coaching veteran at Houston, Indiana, Oklahoma, Washington State and Montana Tech, Sampson has compiled a 699-340 record during his career with 17 NCAA Tournament appearances. He is one of only 15 coaches in NCAA history to lead 4+ schools to the NCAA Tournament and one of only 16 coaches to lead multiple schools to the NCAA Final Four.

In the classroom, numerous student-athletes have received their bachelor’s degrees with one earning his master’s degree under Sampson’s leadership at Houston.

In the community, the Cougars have been active, passing out Thanksgiving lunches to Star of Hope Mission residents and leading a Texas Special Olympics event inside Hofheinz Pavilion and the Guy V. Lewis Development Facility.

We are honored to learn from Coach Sampson about his philosophy on culture and how educators can create, foster, and sustain a positive, productive culture and climate.

We welcome back Dr. Charles Barrett, school psychologist with Loudoun Public Schools in Northern Virginia.  Dr. Barrett continues his focus of always keeping students in the center of the safety conversation but reminding us that helping children also means to look broadly how a family system impacts the student's mental health.  The best way to help children is to help the people around them.  

Learn from Mrs. DeeDe Burke, Dean of Instruction at Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, as she discusses how to prepare mentally and physically for the STAAR test.

Mrs. Laura Reyes, Principal of IMPACT Early College High School in Goose Creek Consolidated ISD (GCCISD) will share with listeners the impact that stress has on students in a school environment.  Mrs. Reyes brings over 20 years experience to the conversation that focuses recognizing stress.  She also mentions strategies that can be used to help notice, take action and reduce the occurrences.

This episode of Take Care Tuesday focuses on human trafficking with Mental Health Intervention Coordinator from Spring ISD, Ms. Tiffany Chaney.  Ms. Chaney will outline what human trafficking is, possible red flags to notice that could indicate someone needs support, and how a school responds to reports of possible trafficking.  

If you suspect trafficking, please text 233733 or call 1-888-373-7888 for support.

Our guest is Jammy Kiggundu, founding partner of the Texas based law firm, Douglass & Kiggundu, PLLC.  In this episode of Mr. Kiggundu takes the time to unpack the law and how it relates to educators keeping students safe.  He shares his legal opinions on the national cases dealing with educators and parental accountability of bullying, cyber safety and violence in our schools. He emphasizes the need for educators to be aware of their school district policies relating to keeping students safe.

He has partnerships with notable organizations such as Crime Stoppers of Houston local governments, educators, private citizens, and others that are aiming to build and improve better communities, promote social awareness, and provide training on various issues including cyber safety, cyberbullying, and social media use, with the help of the media and corporate sponsors.  Learn more about him at www.JammyKspeaks.com

Welcome to the Take Care Tuesday Podcast with the Harris County Department of Education and the Center for Safe and Secure Schools. We have a very special episode recorded and facilitated by Director, Julia Andrews. Julia interviews the inspirational head football coach and athletic coordinator of Randle High School, Coach Brian Randle from Lamar CISD. Tune in to hear this unique and inspiring interview!

Frank DeAngelis, Retired principal of Columbine High School will discuss why planning for an emergency is the most important thing for managing a crisis in school.  He will also unpack the impact of how tragedy affects students, staff and the community.

Jane Devine, Title I Special Programs Coordinator for Lamar Consolidated ISD in Rosenberg, Texas, is our guest to enlighten on an LCISD initiative called "Connections" where they build safe supportive relationships with the students, parents and the community.  

Ms. LaTasha Bishop

Katy ISD

Back to school safety

A conversation with Scott Hudson, Director of Emergency Management for Cy-Fair ISD located in the suburbs of Houston, Texas.  The conversation centers around Scott's experience moving from local/state government to school district emergency management.

A conversation with Mr. Nick Chernoff of Safer Schools Together on the impact and importance of their Digital Threat Assessment® training.

Today, we have a special and a personal treat! My very own little sister, Alaya Mitchell.

Alaya Mitchell is an active and energetic educator from the Alief Independent School District. Serving as the 7th grade Physical Education Teacher and Campus Wellness Coordinator at Olle Middle School, Coach Mitchell as referred to by her students provides the Olle community of students and staff with strategies and practices for positive well-being, physical fitness, and healthy living. Alaya coaches the girls’ Volleyball, Basketball, Track, and Soccer teams!

Prior to teaching, Alaya kept the Sarasota community safe as a law enforcement officer of the Sarasota Police Department in the sunshine state of Florida. Coach Mitchell brings a wealth of experience as a 4 Year Division 1 Women’s Basketball player at Marshall University in West Virginia where she earned her B.S. Exercise Science.

Our interview was conducted on Alaya’s lunch break, so you may hear a few bells in the background. We definitely caught the richness of campus life during this brief chat!

With absolute pleasure and excitement, I introduce to you Coach, Alaya Mitchell!

Notes: In the interview, Alaya mentions dynamic stretching. Here is a great video that captures some dynamic stretches: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/stretching-vd.html 

Join me in a discussion with the Houston Independent School District, Director of Wraparound Services, Jarad Davis. Wraparound Services provides students with the non-academic supports necessary to be successful in school, including: access to mental and physical health professionals, food, housing, and more. Listen in as we learn how this department is wrapping around the students and the community of HISD to nurture school safety and the whole child. 

Join us on an enlightening conversation with our Harris County Sheriff, Ed Gonzalez. Sheriff Gonzalez spoke candidly regarding several pressing issues facing our society today including the impacts of trauma, community and policing and the school to prison pipeline. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is the largest Sheriff Office in the State of Texas and the third-largest nationwide. Sheriff Gonzalez leads upwards of 5,000 employees to protect the County’s 4.5 million residents within the 1,700 square miles of Harris County.

"You do not have to choose between leadership and wellbeing." - Dr. Bradley Carpenter

Today's episode focuses on wellness, leadership sustainability, and social justice within education with Dr. Bradley Carpenter from Baylor University. If you are a school leader or an aspiring school leader, this episode is for you! 

For more information on the Sunday Mindfulness group, you can reach Dr. Bradley Carpenter via email at bradley_w_carpenter@baylor.edu or on Twitter via @Brad_Carpenter! 

~Cheers and gratitude! 

Today I’m joined by Ms. Shelancia Daniel, Creative Director for Creativity Shell, a non-profit organization that recently launched a major Anti-Luring Campaign in an effort to prevent human trafficking.

Sgt. Jeff McGowen of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, shares his expertise on active shooter training, threat assessment training and intruderology training.

In celebration of Black History month join us as Christy Tisdom, principal of Charles R. Drew Elementary in Crosby ISD shares the rich culture of Drew Elementary located in historical town of Barrett Settlement, Texas.  Ms. Tisdom will share how integrating the historic culture of the Barrett Settlement community into the campus help build their academic success.  Drew Elementary moved from a focus school to a "B" rated school in the Texas A-F accountability rating system. within one year.  

Barrett's Settlement was founded by a former slave, known as Harrison Barrett.  Born into slavery, Barrett was the son of Simon and Lisa Barrett who came to Texas from Louisiana. He had three brothers and two sisters.  Following the emancipation of Texas slaves in 1865, Barrett spent several years gathering his family together. He eventually found all of them except one sister, and they settled on part of Reuben White's league east of the San Jacinto River and purchased the land for fifty cents an acre in 1889. It became one of the largest holdings in Harris County to be acquired by a former slave. Barrett named the property Barrett's Settlement.

Join us and listen to see how the integration of the community's historical culture and high academic expectations produced a safe, secure, and successful campus.

Ms. Susan Shaw, Director of Education at the Southwest Regional office of the Anti-Defamation League, shares some valuable insight into the mission of the ADL and highlights one of their powerful school climate improvement programs called NO PLACE FOR HATE.

Dean Herbst is the newly appointed Assistant Emergency Management Director for Humble ISD.  Dean will share his experience of transfering from  a campus administrator to the district emergency management position.  Dean came into the position just as the COVID pandemic was changing our education landscape.  He will share his experiences as he focused on keeping school safety a priority as they transitioned to virtual learning.    In our conversation Dean shares his plans to of continuing the process of taking proactive action to build trusting student relationships and integrating social emotional components into the districts safety protocols.

Today's podcast is an introduction of a new face to the Harris County school district police community, Chief Henry Gaw of Katy ISD.  On this episode Chief Gaw takes the time to share his vision for safety and security in the Katy ISD community.  He shares with us his transition from the Houston Police Department to the carrying the responsibility of building relationships with his students, parents, teachers and his staff.  He describes  the police department's responsibilities in building healthy relationships between themselves and the community.  He also elaborated  on how  his officers will continue in the great Katy tradition of  providing  physical safety  as they move through out Katy ISD and how they will continue to train and expand their mental health training to have an impact on the emotional safety as well.  Chief Gaw's super power is a smile.  He believes strongly that smiling is a sign of strength.

Welcome to our Center for Safe and Secure Schools - Take Care Tuesday podcast. Today's brief episode features school psychologist and safety expert, Dr. Melissa Reeves from Safe and Sound Schools. We discuss threat assessments and how this connects to trauma-informed practices and the dynamic power of a team.

This is Part 2 of my chat with Paul Forbes, the Executive Director of Equity and Access at the New York City Department of Education. In this segment, Paul shares insight into what equity work entails, from highlights about privilege, the danger of a single story, and the power of partnerships for a collective impact. We hope that you enjoy it! 

This podcast is the first part of a two part series. Paul Forbes chats with Cierra Nickerson about what can be done by schools and districts to provide equitable opportunities for all students. Paul shines an intentional lens on all that is being done in New York at the Department of Education to reduce the negative effects of biases in the educational system. We discuss everything from the power of words, access to programs and student voice.

Today's Take Care Tuesday podcast features Dr. Marcie Strahan from the Aldine Independent School District. Dr. Strahan discusses the role Restorative Practices has in shaping the culture on the unique campus she serves. 

Christa Mayfield - Human Trafficking: The Effects of Social Media 

Christa Mayfield - Human Trafficking: Online Awareness 

Christa Mayfield - Human Trafficking: Effect on Youth and Communities