Preventing Violence in Schools: Low Cost, Research-Based Strategies That Work

This interactive workshop examines the best practices for preventing violence in schools and how these strategies can be effectively implemented at minimal cost while maximizing results. Practices to be discussed include:

  • The use of threat assessment  to provide a means to identify, assess, and manage individuals at risk for violence
  • Increasing student disclosures by establishing a relationship-based culture
  • Developing and implementing strategic supervision plans that create effective interactions between students and staff
  • Creating visitor engagement practices that both welcome and screen visitors to the school.

Effective violence prevention practices empower, not intimidate, school stakeholders to prevent and respond to threats of violence.


Amanda Klinger, Esq. is nationally recognized as an expert in school safety, crisis response, and the law. She delivers trainings and lectures to audiences throughout the United States and abroad.

Ms. Klinger is the Director of Operations for The Educator’s’ School Safety Network. Ms. Klinger has past experience both as an attorney and an educator. After earning a degree from Denison University in philosophy and communications, she worked as an elementary and secondary teacher before graduating from the University of Akron, School of Law. Ms. Klinger began her practice in North Carolina, representing clients in civil and criminal proceedings. She also worked in the juvenile justice system, as an advocate for youths charged with crimes, and as a parent attorney in abuse, neglect and dependency proceedings.

Ms. Klinger brings a practitioner’s perspective to the critical legal issues involved in school crisis response, cyberbullying, and the use of technology during crisis events. Her expertise in active shooter response, crisis management, vulnerability assessment and mitigation, as well as lockdown enhancements is derived from her work with Dr. Klinger in developing training courses for the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Along with Dr. Amy Klinger, Ms. Klinger has co-authored several articles in law enforcement and educational journals and is currently completing a school safety book for the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). She has presented at regional and national education, law enforcement, and safety conferences related to crisis response, technology, and negligence/liability issues.


Amy Klinger is nationally recognized as an expert in school safety and crisis management. She delivers trainings and lectures to audiences throughout the United States and abroad.

Dr. Amy Klinger is the Director of Programs for the national non-profit, The Educator’s School Safety Network (www.eSchoolSafety.org). She has over 28 years of experience as an educator and administrator and brings a practitioner’s perspective to the critical concerns of school crisis response. With expertise in active shooter response, crisis planning and preparedness, vulnerability assessment and mitigation, as well as lockdown enhancements, Dr. Klinger combines a knowledge of law enforcement procedures with the practical experience of educational administration.

Dr. Klinger is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at Ashland University in Ohio. Her past experience includes 28 years of service as a teacher, central office administrator, building principal, and college professor. She is also a FEMA/DHS instructor and course developer.

Dr. Klinger has conducted extensive research in the area of school safety and crisis planning and has developed lockdown enhancement, threat assessment, and parent reunification courses for school administrators, school staff members, and law enforcement officials. She authored the book In Search of Safer Schools, published in 2009, along with other articles on school safety featured in national publications. Her next book will be published in 2018 by ASCD. She has presented at regional, national, and international education and law enforcement conferences on school safety and security issues.