The Secret Behind Utah’s School Safety Transformation with Shauntelle Cota & Rhett Larsen
- Safe and Sound Schools
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
“Talk to the kids, talk to the students. What makes them feel safe? That student voice will surprise and just enlighten any conversation around safety.”
-Shauntelle Cota
What does it take to build a true culture of school safety that goes beyond policies and becomes woven into the fabric of our communities?
In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay is joined by Shauntelle Cota and Rhett Larsen of the Utah State Board of Education’s School Safety Center to explore how Utah is redefining what school safety means — from compliance to culture, from procedures to shared purpose.
Together, they discuss how relationships, collaboration, and common language have driven meaningful progress across the state. From legislative beginnings to statewide engagement and local implementation, Rhett and Shauntelle share how Utah’s journey illustrates what’s possible when education, public safety, and mental health partners come together around a unified vision: safe, thriving schools for every student.
Below, you’ll find the full episode guide with key takeaways and standout quotes to guide your listening and reflection.
Episode Guide
[4:00] Building a Culture of Safety in Utah
Michele, Shauntelle, and Rhett discuss the rapidly changing safety landscape in Utah schools. They highlight the importance of establishing a culture focused on safety and dive into how a shared understanding and language is crucial to this goal.
“A lot of culture really comes down to communicating a vision or an idea. When we look at it from that perspective, when we think of culture, it's a common language of safety. And then that common language feeds into common beliefs, values, and expectations that we then can rally around and get kind of excited about, because this is something that we value and we're invested in. Then even taking it a step further, [it becomes] something that we are. We are a safe community. We have safe practices so that it can be infused into who we are.” —Shauntelle Cota
[10:00] Nurturing the Necessary Momentum
The conversation turns to the mechanics of building a common culture, meeting people where they are, finding common ground, and developing at a pace that is sustainable. Shauntelle shares how the modern safety movement in Utah began and what she believes has sustained it.
“I love the analogy of ‘How fast do you want to go? Let's check in because we could go zero to 60 or we could go as slow as we need to.’ In some cases, some on the team will be able to move faster, and others will find that their area of school safety needs to move a little bit more methodically. I believe that the success that [Utah is] having has a lot to do with being willing to just stop and listen and do that landscape assessment, looking at the writing on the wall, hearing from your constituents.” —Michele Gay
[16:00] Common Language and Foundational Safety Frameworks
Michele and Rhett emphasize the role of shared terminology and frameworks and how that common ground can sustain progress even when differences arise. They discuss how using consistent language and processes strengthens emergency planning, prevention efforts, and training, forming the foundation for statewide safety initiatives.
“Establishing [the] essentials – we need to have these procedures, and we know that we all need to call them the same thing – that is a wonderful beginning to the whole conversation [around safety plans]. With that foundation, now we can start building [effective plans].” -Michele Gay
[22:00] Policy, Practice, and Partnership
Rhett and Shauntelle reflect on how tragedies in other states, such as the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL spurred Utah leaders to reevaluate their own approach to school safety and the lessons learned they took from communities like Parkland to shape a new approach.
“We've come a long ways. We have a long ways to go. But really the focus is everyone coming together and learning. Again, the policymakers, school leaders, teachers, parents— it takes everyone coming together and learning and wanting to implement best practices.” — Rhett Larsen
[31:00] Sustaining Progress Through Connection
The conversation turns to how Utah continues to build on its early progress. Rhett and Michele highlight the importance of consistent training, cross-district collaboration, and open communication. Together, these practices ensure safety isn’t just a plan on paper, that it is a living, evolving commitment shared across the state.
“We will never arrive in school safety… it’s continually shifting. There’s always more to learn, new challenges to meet. But we keep moving forward together — learning, adapting, and doing the best we can for our kids.” — Rhett Larsen
[42:00] The Human Side of Safety
Shauntelle closes the conversation by reflecting on the importance of empathy and connection in sustaining a culture of safety. True progress, she says, comes from listening to staff, families, and especially to students, and allowing their perspectives to shape what “safe” really means.
“We’ve got to do safety a different way. We need to be open-minded and have that growth mindset around what safety looks like and feels like. Talk to the kids. Talk to the students. What makes them feel safe?” — Shauntelle Cota
Listen to the Full Episode with Shauntelle Cota & Rhett Larsen
This episode of The Sound Off provides actionable guidance for school leaders, administrators, and educators. From cultivating a culture of safety, to maintaining momentum and being will to change course, Michele Gay and guests Rhett and Shauntelle offer practical strategies to help schools keep students and staff safe and sound.
Today’s episode is presented by Verkada, trusted by schools protecting more than 20 million students. With video security, access control, and panic buttons all in one platform, Verkada gives schools the tools to respond fast and keep their communities safe.
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