Protecting students and teachers when stepping into school is priority #1. On School Safety Today, a podcast from Raptor Technologies, we'll bring you the technologies and leadership that protects over 60,000 schools worldwide.
In this episode of Practitioners of Change, Dana Engelberger, a teacher at Oakdale Middle School, and Tricia Brdecka, an assistant principal at Urbana Middle School, join host Dr. Amy Grosso to share how SmartPass has changed student movement in their schools. They discuss how better visibility and data can reduce time out of class, support student needs, improve hallway accountability, and give educators more time to focus on what matters most: students.
KEY POINTS:
1. More instructional time: SmartPass helps reduce unnecessary time out of class and creates clearer expectations for students.
2. Data that starts conversations: Pass data can reveal patterns, support accommodations, and help educators better understand what students may need.
3. Less time managing hallways: Better visibility can support safer hallways, streamline investigations, and free educators to focus on students and instruction.
8 Sept 2026
The Defensive Line Returns: Moving Suicide Prevention Beyond Awareness
In this episode of School Safety Today, Chris and Martha Thomas, co-founders of The Defensive Line, join host Dr. Amy Grosso to explore how suicide prevention can move beyond awareness and crisis response. They discuss the importance of everyday conversations, connection, compassionate listening, and creating communities where young people feel seen and supported. The conversation reinforces a hopeful message: suicide prevention does not belong to one person, profession, or month.
KEY POINTS:
1. Prevention starts before a crisis. Everyday conversations about emotions, connection, and belonging can help support young people long before they reach a crisis point.
2. Listening matters. Young people need trusted adults who will listen compassionately without immediately trying to fix the problem.
3. Prevention is a shared responsibility. Parents, educators, coaches, and other trusted adults all play a role in helping young people feel connected and supported.
18 Aug 2026
Who's Watching the Class: Rethinking emergency preparedness for substitute teachers
In this episode of Principles of Change, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso is joined by Dr. Emily Dunker, Assistant Principal at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, to explore an often-overlooked part of school safety: preparing substitute teachers for emergencies. Drawing on her own experience as a substitute teacher and her doctoral research on substitute emergency preparedness, Dr. Dunker shares the unique challenges substitutes face when entering unfamiliar buildings, navigating different procedures, and responding to emergencies with limited onboarding and preparation. Together, they discuss how intentional training, consistent communication, practical scenarios, and a strong sense of belonging can help substitutes feel informed, supported, and prepared to respond when it matters most.
KEY POINTS:
1. Intentional emergency preparation helps substitute teachers navigate unfamiliar buildings, procedures, and responsibilities and respond more confidently during a crisis.
2. Building confidence and a sense of belonging helps substitutes know where to turn for support and strengthens their ability to respond appropriately during an emergency.
3. Consistent messaging, practical scenarios, and collaboration with front-office staff, law enforcement, neighboring districts, and other school personnel can strengthen substitute preparedness and overall school safety.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
76
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
76
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