Natalie Hammond is a survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and dedicated advocate for school safety. As Lead Teacher in the building on December 14th, 2012, Natalie is known for her deeply personal and insightful perspective on school safety and crisis response. Emphasizing the importance of preparedness, emotional resilience, and fostering a supportive, safety-first school culture, she shares her story and provides practical guidance on how schools can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Natalie’s firsthand experience and continued dedication to K-12 education make her an invaluable resource for schools and organizations committed to creating safer, more supportive environments for students and staff.
WHY
Book
Natalie
FOR YOUR EVENT?
“It was fantastic. Natalie was very accommodating and is a wonderful educator. She told her story in a way that inspired others and offered suggestions and guidance on how to improve our safety plans. I would love to have her back to speak to our entire school district.”
—Michael Lewis, Director of Student Services, Halifax County Public Schools
WHO
Books
Natalie
?
Natalie’s compelling presence and authentic voice make her a standout speaker in the field of school safety. Known for her thoughtful delivery and powerful storytelling, she brings a rare blend of lived experience and practical insight to every audience. Frequently invited to keynote conferences and lead professional trainings, Natalie equips educators and leaders with the tools to foster preparedness, resilience, and a culture of care. She is a trusted choice for schools and organizations committed to meaningful, lasting change in school safety and crisis response.
Recent audiences and conferences include:
Halifax County Public Schools
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Texas State University
Texas Region 3 Education Service Center (ESC)
Lake County Regional Office of Education
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Jessup University
Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Natalie Hammond – book her today!
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Get Inspired
TO BRING
Natalie
TO YOUR NEXT EVENT!
SPEAKER
Topics Include
Culture, Climate & Community
Leadership, Law & Policy
Leader-care/Self-care
Violence Prevention Strategies
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Active Shooter Preparedness & Response
Recovery & Resilience After Tragedy
Turning Pain into Purpose
Lessons Learned from Tragedy
Signature
PRESENTATIONS
Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event.
Resiliency in the Aftermath
45-90 Minute Keynote up to Half-Day Workshop
Natalie taught third grade at Sandy Hook Elementary for thirteen years before becoming the Lead Teacher in the building. In a morning meeting on December 14, 2012, she heard alarming sounds outside of the main office. She, along with the Principal and School Psychologist, confronted the unknown. Although wounded multiple times during the attack, Natalie survived her injuries. She now serves as Principal in a PreK-4 elementary school in Connecticut. Since the tragedy, she works with groups around the country to discuss resiliency in the face of adversity and the importance of communication and collaboration when developing safety plans.
"Natalie was beyond wonderful, both to work with and in regard to her presentation. Thank you for your help in facilitating her being there."
—Shellie Evers, Center for School & Campus Safety Supervisor, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Speaker
BIOGRAPHY
Natalie Hammond taught third grade at Sandy Hook Elementary for thirteen years before becoming the Lead Teacher in the building. In a morning meeting on December 14, 2012, she heard alarming sounds outside of the main office. She, along with the Principal and School Psychologist, confronted the unknown. Although wounded multiple times during the attack, Natalie survived her injuries. She now serves as Principal in a K-4 elementary school in Connecticut.
Since the tragedy, she works with groups around the country to discuss resiliency in the face of adversity, the importance of communication and collaboration when developing safety plans, and the necessity for social-emotional learning to be embedded into our daily practice as educators.