The Ecosystem of a School’s Security and Safety

In 2020, we wanted to check in on the state of our schools. We turned to Michele Gay, the co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools.

Michele is an educator and a mother. Her journey with Safe and Sound Schools was a result of losing her daughter Josephine Grace on December 14, 2012, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people, including 20 children between six and seven years old, and six adult staff members. Earlier that day, before driving to the school, he shot and killed his mother at their Newtown home. 

Since that time, Michele has channeled her work as an advocate, improving safety and security in schools and communities across our country. With a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Towson State University, Michele earned a Masters’ degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, she taught at the elementary level in the Maryland and Virginia public schools. Now a nationally and internationally recognized public speaker and school safety expert, Michele reaches audiences and consults with all levels of community institutions — schools; municipalities; houses of worship; educational and public safety leadership; state and federal governments; law enforcement agencies; and top news media sources. Through her work, and always with a goal of helping others increase the safety within their own  communities, Michele shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned.