Student Support and School Safety
How We Support Students and Schools
The Office of Student Support and School Safety provides services designed to promote student well-being, strengthen school communities, and help maintain safe and supportive learning environments throughout Sumner County Schools.
Student Wellness
Supporting student mental health, behavior, social-emotional development, and overall well-being.
School Safety
Supporting school safety planning, emergency preparedness, safety audits, training, and threat assessment.
Crisis Response
Providing coordinated support to students, families, and schools during crisis situations and times of significant need.
Positive School Climate
Promoting positive behavior, conflict resolution, and school environments where students feel respected and supported.
Prevention and Intervention
Supporting efforts to prevent bullying, harassment, violence, and other concerns that can affect student safety and success.
Community Partnerships
Working with school leaders, families, law enforcement, first responders, and community partners to support students and schools.
Our Commitment
Students learn best when they feel safe and supported. Our team works closely with school administrators, counselors, families, and community partners to help create positive school environments that prioritize both learning and safety.
Safer Sumner
Helping students, families, and staff speak up when they have a safety concern.
See Something? Say Something.
Safer Sumner provides a way to report concerning or suspicious behavior that may impact the safety and well-being of our students and schools.
If you have a concern, use the Safer Sumner Tip Line to submit information.
Submit a Safer Sumner TipLearn More About Safer Sumner
Watch this short video to learn more about Safer Sumner and how students can help keep our schools safe.
School Safety
Providing proactive safety planning, preparedness, training, and partnerships designed to help protect students and staff across Sumner County Schools.
Safe Schools Begin With Preparedness
Sumner County Schools uses multiple layers of safety and security to help maintain safe learning environments. This includes physical security measures, emergency procedures, staff training, safety planning, and collaboration with law enforcement and first responders.
Explore School Safety
01
Campus Security
Security measures including exterior doors, visitor management, classroom security, and staff identification.
02
Emergency Preparedness
Established procedures for lockdowns, alerts, evacuations, shelter-in-place situations, and severe weather.
03
School Resource Officers
Partnership with the Sumner County Sheriff's Office to provide School Resource Officers throughout the district.
04
Family Preparedness
Guidance for parents and guardians on how to prepare for, respond during, and support students after a school emergency.
Prevention and Support
Supporting the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students through prevention, intervention, and coordinated school-based support.
Supporting the Whole Student
Our Prevention and Support team works alongside schools to help students overcome barriers that may affect their well-being, behavior, attendance, and success in the classroom.
Through prevention programs, early intervention, and collaboration with school staff and families, the team helps connect students with the support they need to be successful.
Areas of Support
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Coordinating systems of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support based on student needs.
Prevention Programs
Supporting programs and strategies designed to address student concerns before they become greater barriers to success.
Behavioral Support
Helping schools promote positive behavior and develop appropriate interventions for students who need additional support.
Student Well-Being
Supporting social-emotional development and helping connect students and families with appropriate school and community resources.
School Climate Surveys
Access the appropriate school climate survey below.
Elementary School
Elementary School Climate SurveyMiddle School
Middle School Climate SurveyHigh School
High School Climate SurveyFirearm Safety Education
Firearm safety educational videos provided by the Tennessee Department of Education and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, organized by grade level.
TDOE & TWRA Grades K–2 Firearm Safety
TDOE & TWRA Grades 3–5 Firearm Safety
TDOE & TWRA Grades 6–12 Firearm Safety
Crisis Response Specialists
Providing coordinated support to students, families, and schools during difficult or unexpected situations.
Supporting Schools When It Matters Most
Crisis Response Specialists work alongside school administrators, counselors, and other support staff when students or school communities are impacted by a crisis. Their role is to help coordinate an appropriate response, provide support, and connect students and families with available resources.
Immediate Support
Helping schools respond to situations that may significantly impact students, staff, families, or the larger school community.
Student & Family Support
Working with students and families to identify appropriate support and connect them with school or community resources when needed.
School Collaboration
Partnering with administrators, counselors, and school-based teams to provide coordinated support during and following challenging situations.
Family Resource Center
Connecting Sumner County families with resources and support that help students arrive at school ready to learn.
Clothing
Support with clothing and other basic apparel needs for students.
Food
Resources and assistance for families experiencing food-related needs.
Personal Care Items
Access to toiletries and other essential personal care items.
Shoes & Essentials
Support with shoes and other basic necessities students may need.
Need Support?
If your family is in need of assistance, please contact your student's school counselor or a member of the Family Resource Center team. Our staff can help connect families with available resources and support.
Extended Day Childcare Programs
Sumner County Schools offers childcare programs designed to provide students with a safe and supportive environment beyond the regular school day. Visit the Extended Day Childcare page for program information, locations, registration, and other important details.
Department Directory
Select a department area below to view staff members serving students, families, schools, and programs throughout Sumner County Schools.
▶ Leadership and Admin 2 Staff Members
Katie Brown
Executive Director of Student Support
Jennifer Smith
Administrative Analyst
▶ School Safety 2 Staff Members
Jerrica Mayo
Safe Schools Supervisor
Robert Cotter
Safety Project Supervisor
▶ Prevention and Support 4 Staff Members
Beth Martin
Safe Schools Supervisor
Dena Cull
Family Education Coordinator
Dyetra Olige
MTSS District Coordinator
Karisa Uhlhorn
Prevention Program Coordinator
▶ Crisis Response Specialists 8 Staff Members
Andrea Rector
Crisis Social Worker
Casey Dodge
Crisis Social Worker
Felicia Moore
Crisis Social Worker
Julianna Adenaike
Crisis Social Worker
Julie Silver
Crisis Social Worker
Kimberly Calhoun
Crisis Social Worker
Kimberly Digman
Crisis Social Worker
Stephanie Trawick
Crisis Social Worker
▶ Family Resource Center 2 Staff Members
Ida Graff
Family Resource Director
Jennifer Chenoweth
Family Resource Assistant
▶ Extended Day Childcare 5 Staff Members
Kristi Bedwell
Extended Day Program Supervisor
Lynett Young
Unity Elementary Program Coordinator
Trish Johnson
Unity and Childcare Department Bookkeeper
Lisa Allen
Unity Site Manager
Sarah Riggs
Unity Elementary Program Coordinator
Need Help?
Have a question or need assistance? Contact the Student Support and School Safety team, and we'll help connect you with the appropriate department or resource.