John McDonald is a speaker working with Kirkland Productions through Safe & Sound Schools.

About

John McDonald co-founded The Council for School Safety Leadership (CSSL) in 2022, and today serves as the organization's chief operating officer. This new national school safety organization provides crisis management services for executive leaders. Within CSSL's first two months, John assembled a network of national experts and hit the ground running by supporting executive school district leaders after a school shooting in St. Louis, which was the 7th school shooting John has responded to or provided support to during the past 14 years.

John's work protecting kids has been featured on the front page of the Washington Post and in the Showtime documentary "Active Shooter: America Under Fire," as well as in the FBI documentaries "Echoes of Columbine" and "In the Aftermath." John is recognized internationally as the architect of the post-Columbine tragedy safety, security, and emergency management plan, now considered a gold standard in the industry.

For 14 years, John was responsible for protecting 86,000 students and 14,000 employees as executive director of school safety for Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado. Along the way, he made a difference by leading school safety preparedness, response, and recovery efforts not just in Colorado, but also in districts around the country following various school-related tragedies. In 2016, John created the Frank DeAngelis Center for Community Safety, located in Colorado. This first-of-its-kind, school-owned active shooter training center has provided no-cost training to more than 12,000 first responders and educators.

Following the Sandy Hook tragedy, the White House asked John to speak about the importance of active shooter preparedness in America's schools and the imperative of building positive relationships between schools, students, and law enforcement. In 2022, John was awarded the prestigious Homeland Security ASTORS award for "his dedication to safeguarding our nation's children."

John's work helping school districts make sense of the unimaginable so kids and teachers can get back to the business of learning goes far beyond school shootings. He led Jeffco Public Schools' recovery efforts following kidnapping and homicide of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway in Westminster, Colorado and after the public suicide of a student who set himself on fire in front of 200 students.

Often sought out as a national presenter and by media both for us insight and his willingness to share the uncomfortable truths impacting school communities, John provides support for K-12 and higher ed institutions because he believes that every student deserves a safe learning environment free from threat, intimidation, and harassment.

John earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Metro State University in Colorado. His experience as a former police officer, proud Army National Guard veteran, and senior manager of U.S. investigations for a worldwide corporation have provided the foundation for a life's work protecting the most innocent.

popular programs

Stop justifying and believe the threat
(Keynote, 45 min - 1.5 hour depending on requests)
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25 years into the modern era of school violence, and we continue to struggle with the prevention, preparation for, response to, and recovery from school shootings. This keynote is a direct, honest conversation about the challenges, failures, and lessons learned, as well as successes and trends occurring around the country.

Developed for both educators and first responders, this discussion addresses vital issues these groups are facing, including threat management practices, emergency management, incident command principles, and classroom management struggles. It’s time to stop justifying and believe the threat.
No higher calling
(Keynote, 45 min - 1.5 hour depending on requests)
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Law enforcement and educators alike share a common bond and belief that protecting our most precious resource–our children– is the greatest of responsibilities. Breaking down silos and a willingness to have difficult conversations today is the difference in success or failure of tomorrow's crisis. This presentation shares proven and successful strategies that will create a climate and culture of safety and quality education.
“The world isn’t a scary place... but it is uncertain”
(Keynote, 45 min - 1.5 hour depending on requests)
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Nationally recognized school safety leader John McDonald is known for developing the post Columbine security program recognized by the White House following the Sandy Hook tragedy as a model school safety program. His work on the front lines of school safety has included managing ongoing threats to Columbine HS, leading the District through the 2nd Deer Creek Middle School shooting, the kidnapping and homicide of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway while walking to school and the tragic suicide of a student who set himself on fire at school in front of more than 200 classmates.

John’s presentation will discuss the challenges of being a responder and the impact of loss, trauma and the challenges of responsibility when even the responders assumptions are shattered.

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Your presentation was fantastic and was very valuable in conveying to our new teachers that we value safety and security in this school district and they appreciated it. Your credibility and passion helped to make your presentation extra special. One teacher walked out, saying aloud to all who would listen, “I love this school district! I’ve worked in a lot of different places and I’ve never been anywhere like Scottsbluff. I just have to keep pinching myself to believe it!” You can’t do better than that.

Rick Myles, Superintendent, Scottsbluff Schools, Scottsbluff, Nebraska

MORE REVIEWS

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Bestselling Author of Permanent Midnight and I, Fatty

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