Michele Gay
Founder & Executive Director Safe and Sound Schools |
Mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, Michele Gay chose to take action after losing her daughter Josephine Grace on December 14, 2012, in the Sandy Hook School tragedy. Since that time, Michele has channeled her work as an advocate, improving safety and security in schools and communities across our country.
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. |
Will Chapman
Sergeant Newtown Police Department |
Officer William Chapman has been an Officer with the Newtown, Connecticut Police Department since 2008. He has served on the Honor Guard, SWAT team, Bicycle Patrol, Marine Patrol, and Peer Support team; and is a member of NASRO, IPMBA, and the NTOA. Will has served as a School Resource Officer and Youth Officer since 2015.
A First Responder to the December 14, 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook School, Officer Chapman travels and teaches to other school communities, professionals, and SRO’s, bringing his first-hand experiences, perspective, and philosophy of positive community based policing. He has channeled his experiences to serve his own community and better prepare others to ensure the safety of their own communities. His mission is to foster positive community relationships and take a team approach to building physically, socially, and emotionally safer schools. With more than a decade of service of service and training, Officer Chapman is s true to his title: he’s a resource. His presence at all of the schools and participation in the lives of the students is a critical part of building optimal environments for the children (and entire community) of Newtown to connect, engage, and explore. |
Michele Gay and Will Chapman
Beyond Tragedy: Perspectives from Sandy Hook
Nearly 10 years after the tragedy that changed their lives forever, former teacher and Sandy Hook parent, Michele Gay and first responder, Sgt. Will Chapman shares their personal perspectives on the Sandy Hook School response and recovery efforts. The pair outlines challenges, successes, and lessons learned in the aftermath of tragedy and loss to better prepare others to respond and recover from emergencies, crises, and disasters. They share insights on emergency notification, communication, death notification, protection of victims and victims’ families, mental health needs and services, media management, and financial considerations, as well as other issues surrounding the response and recovery efforts following a school-based crisis. Powerful and engaging, Michele and Will inform and inspire attendees to carry forward the legacy of Safe and Sound Schools—as they have—together.