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The School Safety Expo is a free, in-person event open to anyone passionate about creating safer schools, including educators, law enforcement, emergency responders, families, and community members. If you care about school safety, you belong here. Learn from dynamic speakers, explore best practices, and gain insights into the latest safety strategies. Strengthen your network and your protocols!

    • Enhance Your School Safety Protocols: Learn from specially curated instructional tracks designed to provide practical tools and knowledge—all at no cost.
    • Network and Collaborate: Connect with administrators, campus police, emergency responders, and safety coordinators to strengthen your school’s safety system.
    • Hear from Dynamic Speakers: Gain insights on the latest trends and strategies in school safety from industry experts, including these 3 from the Texas Education Agency
 

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Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to hear directly from state leadership.

The School Safety Expo will feature a powerhouse panel discussion with three of Texas' top school safety experts. Gain first-hand insights, updates, and answers from:

  • Dr. Brooks Straub, Executive Director of School Safety and Operations, Texas Education Agency

  • John Jones, Assistant Chief of School Safety and Security, Texas Education Agency

  • Jamie Woodall, Executive Director of School Safety, Waller ISD
 

This is your chance to engage with the team shaping safety policy and oversight across the state—come with questions, leave with clarity and direction.


Breakout Sessions

    • 89th Legislation Impact on Emergency Operations Plan | Presented by: Brian Clason, Texas School Safety Center Associate Director of School Safety Readiness
    • Aligning BTA and Management in your MTSS  |  Presented by Shelley Garza-Clark & Ashley Whitley, Region 4 Regional Coordinators
    • Incident Command Systems for School-Based Leaders |  Presented by Dean Hensley, Assistant Chief, Waller County Fire Marshal’s Office & Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management)
    • Proactive Leadership During Student Protests, Lessons Learned  |  Cynthia Benitez, Channelview ISD Director of Safety and Emergency Operations
    • Empowering Youth in Opioid Prevention |  Presented by: Dr. Ninfa Pena-Purcell, PhD, MCHES
    • When Coincidence Breeds Chaos: A Hoax Threat at a Texas School  | Presented by Jamie Woodall, Waller ISD Executive Director of School Safety
    • Texas DPS iWatch Texas  |  Presented by: Louis Torres, Regional HSD Manager, Southeast Region
    • From Online Indicators to Real World Impact - Collaborative Effort in Stopping a School Threat  |  Presented by: FBI Special Agent J. Bray
    • Supporting School Safety through Strategic Procurement |  Presented by: Adam Tabor, Region 4 ESC Department Director-Procurement
    • Thriving Schools Start with Striving Staff  |  Christina A. Runnels, Greater Houston Counseling Services
    • Strengthening Team Trust & Decision Making Through Reflective Feedback  |  Dolores Trevino, Region 4 ESC Executive Leadership Coach
 

View the Full Schedule

 

Keynote Speaker

...
Kevin L. Foust

Keynote Speaker: Kevin L. Foust, Retired Associate Vice President for Safety and Security
Topic: Virginia Tech: Lessons from April 16, 2007

Kevin Foust shares insights from the tragic Virginia Tech shootings, examining the shooter’s background, law enforcement response, mistakes made, and critical lessons learned. This powerful session explores how threat assessment processes evolved after the event and challenges attendees to reflect on their own preparedness and decision-making in crisis situations.

Session Topics

Explore strategies that support the physical and mental well being of students and staff. Topics may include prevention initiatives, mental health awareness, self-care, trauma-informed practices, and building healthier school communities.

Share actionable insights on school safety planning, crisis response, and operational readiness. Sessions can cover safety audits, threat response, crisis communication, cybersecurity, and effective emergency protocols

Help others discover how to foster welcoming and respectful school environments. Ideal topics include behavior management, restorative practices, community partnerships, and schoolwide strategies that promote student success and safety.

Presenters in this strand will help participants stay informed on evolving policies, legal compliance, grant funding, and other critical considerations for sustaining effective safety programs.

FREE Event

Reserve your seat

In-Person Expo:

October 30 2025, Thursday

Region 4 McKinney Conference Center
7200 Northwest Drive, Houston, Texas, 77092


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