Why School Safety Is Everyone’s Job with Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
- Safe and Sound Schools
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
“School safety is a shared responsibility — from school leaders and teachers to students, parents, first responders, and policymakers.”
–Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay and Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather, Director of the Texas School Safety Center, explore how school safety has evolved into a proactive, holistic effort. The discussion centers around the critical importance of leadership in driving safety initiatives, the role of proactive threat assessments, and the power of students in identifying and reporting concerning behaviors. They also tackle emerging threats such as cyberbullying, AI manipulation, and the growing issue of copycat incidents in the wake of high-profile events.
Michele and Kathy focus on how a holistic approach — integrating mental health resources, security measures, and community engagement — is essential to protecting students and staff. They highlight Texas’s leadership in developing and implementing school safety programs and legislation, providing valuable insights for other communities striving to replicate this success.
Below you’ll find a full episode guide complete with key takeaways, powerful quotes, and additional resources on school safety, threat assessments, and student engagement. Listen to the full episode now to discover how you can make a difference in ensuring a safer, stronger school community.
Keeping Texas Students Safe
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Episode Guide
[3:50] Leadership Driving School Safety Initiatives
In this section, Kathy and Michele discuss the significance of leadership in school safety and how top-down support can drive systemic changes in a district's approach to safety. Kathy explains the importance of having leaders at all levels, from local to state, who prioritize school safety every day, not just in reaction to recent events.
“We talk about some of the most fundamental things that you can do that make a huge difference, such as locking doors, and we get asked, ‘What is so important about that?’ Let me tell you why that’s important. That little thing, that doesn’t take much effort at all, can change the trajectory of an entire event.” –Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
[11:05] Proactive Threat Assessments
Kathy emphasizes how proactive threat assessments, not reactive responses, are key in preventing school violence. By identifying concerning behaviors early and integrating mental health resources, schools can stop potential incidents before they escalate.
“We have seen and know about this contagion effect. We have a highly publicized mass casualty event. They typically see an uptick in copycats. But I think that we are just now seeing those [copycat events] happening almost every week, regardless of if there is an event that took place.” –Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
[15:40] The Role of Students in School Safety
Michele and Kathy discuss how students, when trained and supported, are instrumental in identifying concerning behaviors and stopping threats before they escalate. Kathy shares a story about Texas students who thwarted a potential school attack by reporting troubling behavior they observed online.
“We had a situation a couple of months ago here in Texas where students noticed concerning behaviors. [They] were reported it online, and [it was passed] to authorities who were able to thwart a potential act of violence in a school.” –Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
[20:25] Emerging Threats: AI and Cyberbullying
The conversation turns to emerging threats such as cyberbullying and AI manipulation. Kathy highlights how technology is increasingly being weaponized against students and how schools are working to educate both students and parents on how to combat these issues.
“We’re seeing how AI is now being manipulated to share images of peers in a way that is illegal. So [it is important to understand how] technology is playing a part in a lot of this and being weaponized to victimize other students.” –Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
[27:10] The Contagion Effect and Copycat Threats
Kathy discusses the growing trend of copycat threats, where highly publicized incidents of violence lead to an uptick in similar threats from students seeking attention or attempting to mimic past events. She stresses the impact of these events on school communities and the importance of addressing these threats quickly and effectively.
"When we have a highly publicized incident, we see an immediate uptick in threats. Sometimes they're copycats, sometimes they’re just kids looking for attention — but every single one disrupts the learning environment and impacts safety." –Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
[36:15] The Holistic Approach to School Safety
The conversation wraps up with a focus on how school safety requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond physical security measures. Kathy explains how mental health resources, community engagement, and educational efforts are necessary to support a safe learning environment.
“It does take a village. We all have a role to play. And we can all make a difference in this work little by little every single day, as long as we are committed to this work every single day.” –Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
Listen to the Full Episode with Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
This episode of The Sound Off dives into meaningful solutions that go beyond reactive measures, offering a deep and thoughtful exploration of how proactive threat assessments, student engagement, and a holistic safety approach can transform school environments. Whether you’re a school administrator, educator, or community member, the insights shared in this conversation will equip you to make a meaningful impact in school safety.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Status Solutions Network. SSN provides schools with safety technology at no cost and ongoing funding to address their unique and evolving needs—made possible through the support of local businesses advertising on the platform.
Check Out These Additional Resources from Safe and Sound and Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
Dive into these resources for more information on this topic:
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