Success Stories

From Stopping Shootings to Enhancing Culture,
Success Stories of Schools that Chose Safe & Loved.

Real Schools. Real Impact.

Here’s a small sampling of the voices we’ve heard from across the country from educators, officers, and school leaders who’ve witnessed real change through Safe & Loved.

We’re grateful for their trust, moved by their words, and honored to be part of their story!

Success Story #1:
Keith, School Resource Officer

Safe & Loved Helped Prevent School Attack and Supreme Court Victory

“Thank you! Because of you and what you taught us, we were able to stop a school shooting. The materials you provided as well as the right perspective and understanding of the path to violence were incredibly beneficial. With it we were able to stop the student and win the case in the Supreme Court.”

Success Story #2:
John, Director of Safety

Teachers are the Prize Helps Prevent School Attack

“I’m writing to say THANK YOU, because your presentation helped us to prevent a potential school attack at our high school. I know we are not impervious to future issues, but your training prevented this situation from being an event.”

Success Story #3:
Kathy Wolcott, Wayland-Cohocton CSD, NY

Safe & Loved Reduced Student Suspensions and Disruptions

"Our district has struggled with the rate of long term suspensions for students with disabilities, which has required us to work a bit closer with NYSED and take a deeper dive into our data. Last week, I shared that our long term suspensions for students with disabilities went from 15 in 2021-2022 to 4 in 2022-2023. When they asked me what we did, because they were shocked by the reduction, I explained that we didn't do anything different with how we responded to behavior and discipline; however, I shared how we were working to embrace the principles of your Safe and Loved approach to school safety, focusing specifically on engagement. I know that we have room for improvement, and we are going to continue to work on improving our ESAT, but honestly, I can't think of anything else that we did that would have amounted to such a significant reduction. Thank you!!"

Success Story #4:
Jenna, District Administrator

Teachers are the Prize Inspires Teachers and Staff

“Don captured the audience from his first spoken word all the way through to the standing ovation! Staff are asking when and not if I’m bringing him back.”

Success Story #5:
Teacher

Safe & Loved Inspired Teacher to Postpone Retirement

“Last year was awful! I was going to retire after this in-service but I've decided to stay. You reminded me why I'm here. Thank you!”

Success Story #6:
Andrew, Administrator

Assessments & Safety Plans Made a District Safe & Loved

"As a district leader, I'm on the outside looking in and I've seen (and felt) a marked difference. Our principals, teachers, and staff have embraced Safe and Loved, especially with the morning arrivals. They enjoy greeting our students, parents, and other relatives at morning drop-off and it is impacting the culture of the building...for the better. It was a simple and commonsensical move that has made a big difference."

Success Story #7:
Jamie, Principal

Assessments & Safety Plans Made His School Safe & Loved

"Since Don's visit to our district, real change has occurred. Staff is more visible, students are noticing, and there is a real tangible feeling that our buildings are not only safer, but more welcoming and more supportive."

Success Story #8:
Teacher

Teachers are the Prize Helped a Teacher Heal Beyond the Classroom

After a Teachers are the Prize PD, a teacher approached Don quietly. He suffered from obvious and significant physical trauma. With hope in his voice, he said: “Thank you for what you said. I’m going to use it to look at my injury and pain differently and celebrate it as part of my history. It’s going to change my life.” Sometimes the best way to improve your safety is to help the teacher! Safe & Loved is holistic safety. So it makes everything better, including personal healing, resilience, and hope.

Success Story #9:
Molly, Principal

Assessments & Safety Plans Made Her School Safe & Loved

"I learned a lot from Don. I liked him immediately. He has a great way of explaining things to you so that you don't feel like you've been doing things the wrong way. The outcome has been that my school is safer. There also exists an even better positive climate. I didn't think that was possible—but I was wrong!"

Some Standing Ovations

What Others are Saying
About Safe & Loved and Don Shomette

★★★★★

Teacher - New York:

This is my 33rd year in teaching. I can say with a complete absence of hyperbole that this was the most worthwhile, meaningful, insightful thing I’ve ever attended.

And I love you too!

Criminal Justice Professor, Alabama:

“I have never had a presenter who was so knowledgeable on the topic. I learned more from this 2 day course than my 16 years in my law enforcement and teacher career.”

Teacher, Connecticut:

“I see so many coworkers and teachers losing their minds and being negative to their students. This presentation was so promising and encouraging.”

SRO, Florida:

“I thought this was a great course and it kept my attention. Sucks it's over. I had fun.”

Police Officer, New York:

“I was going to retire but you inspired me to keep going!”

Teacher, New York:

“Thank you for refreshing my mindset. After 35+ years teaching I was reminded how grateful I am for the students. I have the privilege of teaching!”

Teacher, New York:

“Without a single bit of exaggeration, that was THE BEST opening day in-service presentation of my 34 years of teaching! Thank you for bringing Don Shomette in to set the tone and focus for the year!”

Teacher, New York:

“Hearing that there is always something I can do for the children is refreshing no matter how “small” we may feel what we’re doing is, it makes a huge difference in the environment and in the children’s lives.”

Deputy Sheriff, Alabama:

“In 34 years of law enforcement, I count this as one of the top five trainings I've ever attended!”

Deputy Sheriff, Alabama:

“I've been in law enforcement for thirty years and this training was one of the best I've ever attended. It was innovative and forward thinking. This is something we should be doing more of in law enforcement.”

SRO, Virginia:

“Excellent course! Ton of information like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hydrant. Great stuff!!”

Teacher, New York:

“I think in today’s age most people work for a paycheck without love for what they do or who they do it for. Thank you for reminding me that I can love the students and their families.”

Police Officer, Virginia:

“I've been a cop for 21 years and we constantly tell cops how to be more proficient but never how to be better people and nothing about helping families. This is exaclty what we need.”

3 Options that will Change Your School

Teachers are the Prize (PD).
A powerful jumpstart to radically reduce vulnerability to shootings.

Assessments & Safety Plans.
Remove all guesswork. We'll tell you exactly what to do.

Total Protection.
Plug and play Safe & Loved into your district in 5 days.

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