[ MUSIC ] Joy: HELLO, I'M JOY HOFMEISTER, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION FOR OKLAHOMA.

WELCOME TO EDUCATION MATTERS.

ON TODAY'S SHOW -- IT CAN BE CHALLENGING TO TEACH THE BASICS WHEN KIDS ARE DEALING WITH INFLUENCES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

ONE OKLAHOMA TEACHER FOUND AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO ADDRESS HER STUDENTS' EMOTIONAL NEEDS IN THE FIRST WEEKS OF SCHOOL.

WE'LL TALK TO HER ABOUT THIS PROJECT THAT WENT VIRAL.

THEN STRENGTHENING SAFETY AND SECURITY IN OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY.

A NEW APP IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.

WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS, AND TALK WITH AN EARLY ADOPTER.

FIRST, I HAD THE HONOR OF TESTIFYING BEFORE A U.S.

CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE RECENTLY.

I WAS ONE OF FOUR LEADERS ASKED TO SPEAK ABOUT SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> OKLAHOMA HAS MADE TREMENDOUS STRIDES IN A VARIETY OF FRONTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION -- ACADEMIC STANDARDS, NATIONAL COMPARABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND MORE -- BUT THESE IMPROVEMENTS CANNOT REMEDY EVERY CHALLENGE.

THERE ARE, OF COURSE, THE STARK REALITIES OF POVERTY, CHILD HUNGER, DOMESTIC STRIFE AND MORE.

THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM HAS AN UNDENIABLE IMPACT ON THE WORLD INSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH REPORTS THAT OKLAHOMA'S YOUNGEST CHILDREN SUFFER MORE TRAUMA THAN THOSE IN ANY OTHER STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION, OKLAHOMA RANKS 42ND IN THE NATION IN CHILD WELL-BEING.

75% OF OUR STUDENTS SUFFER MODERATE OR SERIOUS DEPRESSION, AND A GROWING NUMBER ADMIT TO A LOW COMMITMENT TO SCHOOL AND A HIGH RISK FOR DRUG USE.

BEARING THIS IN MIND, HOW CAN WE EQUIP TEACHERS TO MOVE STUDENTS TOWARD RESILIENCE AND A BRIGHT FUTURE?

WE BELIEVE THE KEY IS TRAUMA-SENSITIVE INSTRUCTION.

RECENT WORK ON THE SCIENCE OF HOPE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT A CONNECTION WITH A STABLE, CARING ADULT IS THE COMMON FACTOR IN MOVING CHILDREN FROM TRAUMA TO HOPE.

Joy: ONE OKLAHOMA EDUCATOR IS LEADING THE WAY IN HELPING KIDS MOVE FROM TRAUMA TO HOPE.

A TEACHER FROM COLLINSVILLE HAS GONE VIRAL WITH HER FACEBOOK POST ABOUT A CLASSROOM LESSON.

KAREN LOEWE FROM COLLINSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL POSTED ABOUT THE ACTIVITY.

SHE DESCRIBED IT AS "ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL DAYS" SHE'S EVER HAD.

EMORY BRYAN FROM TULSA'S KOTV HAS MORE.

>> AFTER 21 YEARS OF TEACHING, KAREN LOEWE DECIDED SHE HAD TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

>> GOT TO DO SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE THEM LOVE EACH OTHER.

>> THEY GOT A LESSON THAT SURPRISED THEIR TEACHER THE MOST.

>> IT JUST KIND OF TOOK ME BACK.

>> THE WRITING ASSIGNMENT WAS TO PUT DOWN ON PAPER WHAT'S WEIGHTING THEM DOWN AND HURTING AND HIDDEN INSIDE.

>> THIS IS A BAG.

>> THE NOTES WERE WADDED UP AND THROWN AWAY, BUT FIRST READY OUT LOUD BY OTHER STUDENTS.

>> IT FELT LIKE I LIFTED A LOT OFF MY HEAD.

>> AND CERTAINLY NEVER READ OUT LOUD.

>> IT WAS LIKE SHE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WENT THROUGH.

LIKE, SHE KNEW THE PAIN AND HOW IT FELT.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF TALK IN EDUCATION CIRCLES THESE DAYS ABOUT THE BURDENS THE CHILDREN ARE CARRYING.

THERE WERE MANY NOTES OF LOSS, DEATH IN THE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND PARENT IN PRISON AND CHILDREN WITH PARENTS WHO BANDED THEM.

>> THEY TRUST ME.

THEY TRUST THEIR CLASSMATES.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT.

>> SHE SAYS THE NOTES WILL STAY IN THIS BAG ON THE WALL FOR A WHILE AS A REMINDER.

>> KNOWING WHAT THEY GO HOME AND WHAT THEY DEAL WITH, GIVE THEM SOME GRACE.

GIVE THEM SOME GRACE.

Joy: JOINING ME NOW IS KAREN LOEWE.

WELCOME, KAREN.

>> HI.

Joy: SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

Joy: DID YOU EXPECT WE REALIZED BE TALKING ABOUT ABOUT A FACEBOOK POST THAT YOU POSTED AT THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL?

>> NO IDEA, NO.

Joy: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING?

>> YEAR 22.

Joy: AND YOU DID THIS WITH -- WAS IT MIDDLE SCHOOL?

>> 7TH AND 8TH GRADE.

Joy: WHERE DID YOU GET THIS IDEA?

>> OFF OF A WEBSITE CALLED HASHTAG TEACH PROBLEMS AND I TWEAKED IT A LITTLE BIT.

Joy: WHAT WAS IT YOU WERE HOPING TO ACHIEVE WHEN YOU TRIED THIS OUT?

>> I INITIALLY WANTED MY KIDS TO BE MORE EMPATHETIC TOWARDS EACH OTHER.

I HAVE SEEN KIND OF A DECLINE IN NICENESS OVER THE YEARS.

Joy: OKAY.

>> AND I WANTED THEM TO BE KINDER TO EACH OTHER AND LIKE EACH OTHER A LITTLE BIT MORE.

Joy: WHAT DO YOU THINK CONTRIBUTED TO THAT CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS?

>> I HAVE NOTICED A HUGE CHANGE IN SOCIAL MEDIA.

A COUPLE DAYS IN CLASS I HELD UP SOMEONE'S PHONE, I SAID THIS IS THE DOWNFALL, BECAUSE THEY CAN BE VERY BLUNT BEHIND THE PHONE AND SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY INSTEAD OF A DIRECT CONVERSATION.

THEY ARE JUST MORE MEAN, SARCASTIC AND HATEFUL AND RUDE.

I JUST REALLY WANTED TO TOUCH ON THAT AND HAVE THEM BE MORE KIND TO EACH OTHER.

Joy: IT CERTAINLY SOUNDS LIKE THE SURPRISE HERE, THEN, WAS THE CONNECTION THAT BEGAN TO OCCUR.

SO CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DID?

I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MADE 600,000 PEOPLE NOW, SHARE YOUR FACEBOOK POST?

NOTHING THAT HAD A VIDEO OF IT OR NEWS STORY, IT WAS JUST YOUR WORDS AND YET THAT HAD THAT KIND OF REACTION.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU THINK MADE OUR TEACHERS OR PARENTS SHARE THAT SO MANY TIMES ALL OVER?

AND WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE DID YOU ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE COMMENTS?

>> I WAS SURPRISE IT WENT AS VIRAL AS IT DID, BUT I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST LONGING FOR THAT BIT OF KINDNESS.

PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD CONTACTED ME AND SHARED THEIR STORY SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THIS.

I THINK IT RESONATED IN THEIR HEARTS THAT SOMEONE WAS ACTUALLY LISTENING TO THEM AND THEY HAD A VOICE TO SHARE.

I DON'T KNOW.

Joy: UNDERSTAND A LITTLE MORE WHAT THE IMPACT WAS, HOW DID YOU DO IT?

>> I WALKED IN FIRST HOUR, 7:15 IN THE MORNING, WE WILL TRY SOMETHING NEW.

I HAVE NEVER DO THIS -- DONE THIS BEFORE.

I SAW IT ON A WEB PAGE.

WE WILL GIVEN IT A SHOT.

MY KIDS ARE COOL ABOUT THAT.

WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT BAGGAGE FIRST OF ALL.

Joy: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT.

>> STUFF THAT YOU CARRY AND WEIGHT ON YOUR HEART.

WRITE SOMETHING DOWN THAT'S BEEN BOTHERING YOU.

IT CAN BE IN YOUR PAST OR SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU NOW AND SOMETHING YOU WILL SHARE.

YOU WILL SHARE THIS OUT LOUD, BUT IT WILL BE ANONYMOUS.

SO WE WADDED THEM UP AND THREW THEM ACROSS THE ROOM AND PICKED THEM UP AND THEN THE KIDS READ WHOEVER'S THEY GOT.

IF THIS WAS YOURS, DO YOU WANT TO SHARE?

SOME WOULD SAY YES, SOME WOULDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

THE ONES THAT SHARED, WE WOULD HAVE A CONSERVATIVES AFTER -- CONVERSATION AFTER IT.

IF IT WAS DIVORCE, I WOULD SAY HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH YOUR DIVORCE AND RAISE YOUR HANDS AND SAY LOOK AROUND, YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE GOING THROUGH THIS.

THE ONES WHO DIDN'T SHARE, IF THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE, I WOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION ALSO.

I WOULD ASK THE QUESTION AND PEOPLE WOULD SAY YEAH, THAT WAS ME.

Joy: SO THEY QUOTE THIS DOWN ANONYMOUSLY AND CRUMPLED IT UP AND TOSSED IT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM AND SOMEONE ELSE PICKS IT UP AND READS IT.

YOU ASKED IF SOMEONE WANTED TO CLAIM THAT.

>> YES.

Joy: I CAN SAY HOW SOME OF THE THINGS MIGHT NOT WANT TO BE SHARED.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOUR EXAMPLE OF THAT THAT KIDS ARE CARRYING?

>> OVERWHELMINGLY, DIVORCE IS PROBABLY NUMBER ONE, FEW SUICIDES EITHER IN THE FAMILY OR SOME OF MY KIDDOS THAT ATTEMPTED.

LUCKILY, THE ONES THAT SAID THEY THEY ATTEMPTED, THEY RAISED THEIR HANDS AND SHARED IN CLASS.

THAT WAS VERY HEAVY.

Joy: DID ANYTHING SHOCK YOU?

>> ABANDON.

THAT JUST REALLY SURPRISED ME.

MY VERY FIRST ONE I STARTED CRYING.

THE FIRST ONE, THE KID PICKED UP THE PAPER AND OPENED IT AND SAID I CAN'T READ THIS.

I SAID I WILL READ IT FOR YOU AND IT WAS FOUR WORDS -- MY MOM ABANDONED ME.

I WAS KIND OF LIKE WHAT HAVE I WALKED IN TO?

I HAD NO CLUE.

THE KIDS WERE JUST -- YOU COULD HEAR PINS DROP.

THEY WOULD GET UP AND PET EACH OTHER ON THE SIDES AND HUG EACH OTHER AND TEARS ALL DAY LONG.

IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL.

Joy: SO HOW HAS THAT DAY CHANGED THE CLASSROOM FOR THE KIDS?

CHANGED YOU?

>> DEFINITELY HAS CHANGED ME.

HOW THEY CHANGED EACH OTHER IS I THINK THEY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

THEY ARE A BIT MORE EMPATHETIC.

I TOLD THEM I SAID IF SOMEONE SNAPS AT YOU OR BITES YOUR HEAD OFF OR SAYS SOMETHING RUDE, REMEMBER THAT DAY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH AT THEIR HOUSE OR WHAT THEY ARE GOING ON THIS DAY.

IT HELPED WITH PEOPLE BEING REAL SNIPPY.

THEY ARE HORMONAL, THEY ARE TEENAGE KIDS.

IT HELPED THEM REALIZE THAT EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING, AND GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF GRACE.

Joy: IT GIVES EYES TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN HIDDEN BELOW THE SURFACE.

THANK YOU, KAREN AND THANK YOU FOR TEACHING AND THANK YOU FOR GOING THAT EXTRA STEP TO REALLY CONNECT ON A DEEP LEVEL WITH STUDENTS.

GREAT HAVING YOU.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS PROUD TO OFFER A FREE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TEACHING IN THE SHADOW OF TRAUMA.

BRIDGES TO HOPE WILL FEATURE DR.

BRUCE PERRY, ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING EXPERTS ON CHILD TRAUMA, ON FEBRUARY 17.

YOU CAN REGISTER AT TRAUMA SUMMIT 2020.EVENTBRITE.COM SO MANY TIMES, TEACHERS DON'T KNOW THE IMPACT THEY MAKE ON THEIR STUDENTS.

OKLAHOMA'S FIRST U.S.

POET LAUREATE GREW UP IN TULSA AND REMEMBERS TWO TEACHERS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HER LIFE.

[ MUSIC ] >> I AM THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN OR AMERICAN INDIAN POET LAUREATE AND I AM THE FIRST U.S.

POET LAUREATE FROM OKLAHOMA.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE AN INCREDIBLE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VISIBILITY FOR NATIVE POETS.

I LOVED DOING ART AS A CHILD GROWING UP HERE IN TULSA.

I COME FROM A FAMILY OF PAINTERS.

MY GRANDMOTHER IS A PAINTER.

I STARTED WRITING IN MY EARLY 20s, AND THEN WHEN I WAS ALMOST 40, I STARTED PLAYING SAXOPHONE.

SO I AM ALWAYS LEARNING SOMETHING.

IT DOESN'T END.

[ MUSIC ] I STARTED OUT HERE AT BURBANK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

AND THERE WAS A TEACHER THERE THAT SHE TESTIFIED ME.

[ LAUGHTER ] -- TERRIFIED ME.

I LEARNED FROM HER THAT TO BE FREE, YOU NEED TO HAVE RULES.

YOU NEED TO HAVE STRUCTURE AND SOME KIND OF ORDER.

SO I ALWAYS REMEMBER HER.

IT WAS CALLED JUNIOR HIGH THEN, CLEVELAND JUNIOR HIGH, AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE ADVANCED ART CLASS.

I GET MY SCHEDULE AND THAT CLASS ISN'T ON THERE.

SO I GO INTO THE PHYSICS CLASS.

NOW, I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR PHYSICS, BUT I STAYED IN THAT CLASS.

I GAVE UP MY BELOVED ART CLASS BECAUSE THIS TEACHER LOVED WHAT HE WAS DOING AND THAT REALLY MATTERS.

IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST ESTEEMED PROFESSIONS AND WHAT YOU DO IN THAT CLASSROOM WILL MAKE AN IMMENSE DIFFERENCE.

I AM A TULSA ARTIST FELLOW AND I WRITE IN HERE, I CREATE MUSIC.

IT'S A PLACE I COME TO.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE TEACHERS OUT THERE DOING THE WORK WHO LOVE IT AND HAVE AN INTEGRITY ABOUT IT.

YOU MAY NOT GET A THANK YOU EVERY DAY, BUT YOU KNOW THOSE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY APPRECIATE IT AND THEY WILL.

NUCLEIC [ MUSIC ] A FORMER OKLAHOMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR LEARNED HIS IMPACT ON A STUDENT WHEN THAT STUDENT WAS HERSELF RECENTLY NAMED THE 2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

[ MUSIC ] >> GOT UP EARLY THIS MORNING TO CALM MY NERVES A LITTLE BIT.

TO BE HERE AMONG MANY WONDERFUL EDUCATORS AND CELEBRATING PUBLIC EDUCATION, I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

EIGHT MONTHS OF HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO THIS.

I NEEDED TO BE HERE EARLY TO TAKE PHOTOS WITH OUR GENEROUS SPONSOR WITH THE OTHER FINALISTS.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER GREAT TIME TO BE TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE.

NOW, IT'S BREAKFAST AND MINGLING.

TODAY EITHER I AM HOPPING OFF THE TRAIN FEELING HONORED THAT I WAS A FINALIST OR I AM THE OKLAHOMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

EITHER WAY I AM PROUD OF WHERE I HAVE COME TO.

>> MY WHOLE LIFE, GETTING TO THIS MOMENT, EVERYTHING IS SURREAL TO ME.

>> IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE OUR 2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST.

>> IF PEOPLE HAD LOOKED AT ME WHEN I WAS A KID AND THOUGHT I WOULD EVER BE HERE AT THIS MOMENT, THEY WOULD HAVE SHOOK THEIR HEADS AND SAID NO.

THIS WON'T HAPPEN FOR HER.

THIS WILL BE SHOCK.

>> THE ENVELOPE PLEASE, BECKY.

YOUR 2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR IK PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I KEPT SAYING THAT'S GOT TO BE A MISTAKE.

THAT'S A MISTAKE.

AND IT WAS JUST OVERWHELMING AND HUMBLING.

COMPLETELY HUMBLING.

CANNOT BELIEVE ANY OF THIS.

THIS IS THE MOST SURREAL MOMENT IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

>> I WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT A SPECIAL PERSON WHO SAVED MY LIFE AND HE'S ACTUALLY IN THIS BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA TEACHER MR.

STEVEN SMALLWOOD.

THIS MAN LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE.

WITHOUT YOU, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER STATISTIC INSTEAD OF THE STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

I GOT TO SEE MY HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER TODAY AND FOR US IT'S BEEN JUST A FULL CIRCLE EVENT.

THE WHOLE DAY IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

Joy: IT WAS A TOUGH JOB FOR THE JUDGES TO NARROW DOWN THE WINNER FROM THESE 12 OUTSTANDING TEACHERS.

WE ARE PROUD OF ALL THEM AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING JENA SERVE AS OKLAHOMA'S AMBASSADOR OF TEACHING.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE CAN NOW STRENGTHEN THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY WITH A SPECIAL APP.

LACEY LETT FROM KFOR IN OKLAHOMA CITY EXPLAINS.

>> NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS BEEN USING THIS SECURITY FEATURE FOR A YEAR.

94 THANKS TO STATE FUNDING, ALL DISTRICTS CAN UTILIZE IT.

THERE IS A NEW WAY TO GET HELP IF AN EMERGENCY ARISES.

>> THE STATE LEGISLATOR BUDGETED $3 MILLION LINE ITEM FOR AN INNOVATIVE SAFETY APP, THE RAVE PANIC BUTTON.

>> IT WILL ALERT SCHOOL STAFF AND 9-1-1 OPERATORS FOR AN EMERGENCY.

THE APP TRACKS YOUR LOCATION SO FIRST RESPONDERS WILL KNOW WHERE TO GO.

>> ALL SCHOOLS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE TOOLS AND 9-1-1 CENTER INTEGRATION AS WELL AS THE APP FOR EVERY TEACHER IN THE STATE.

>> SO FAR 143 DISTRICTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA ARE OPTING IN TO USE THE APP.

NORMAN WAS THE FIRST IN THE STATE TO START USING THE APP.

THE NORMAN SUPERINTENDENT SAYS IT'S BEEN A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATORS.

>> WORKING WITH 9-1-1, WORKING WITH MAKING SURE MAPS AND GEOFFENSING AND GPS IS DONE CORRECTLY.

WE HAVE TO USE THE HEALTH NOTIFICATION.

>> THIS IS ONE WAY THEY ARE UPPING SECURITY IN SCHOOLS.

>> OF COURSE, WE KNOW THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE SILVER BULLET TOOL.

ALL OF THIS HAS TO BE DISCUSSED AROUND MENTAL HEALTH, PROVIDING THE KIND OF SUPPORT THROUGH COUNSELORS.

>> NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE STARTED USING THIS APP AND THE DISTRICT'S SUPERINTENDENT NICK MIGLIORINO JOINS US NOW TO DISCUSS THE APP.

>> THANKS FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY EXCITED.

Joy: WHAT MADE YOU THE MOBILE APP AS THE SECURITY YOU PROVIDE?

>> VULATE.

AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT YOU ARE LOOKING AT FOR DIFFERENT WAYS TO CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES ONE FOR COMMUNICATION AND ESPECIALLY AROUND SECURITY.

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE ARE OUT SEEKING INFORMATION ALL THE TIME.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE RAVE PANIC APP AND IT WAS THE PERFECT FIT FOR US.

Joy: I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN NORMAN AND VISIT WITH THE 9-1-1 OPERATORS IN THE CENTER THERE.

IT WAS REALLY IMPRESSIVE TO SEE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOW WE USED TO DO THINGS AND HOW IT WORKS NOW WITH THE APP.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE SOME OF THAT, YOU KNOW, HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO SOMETHING THAT'S NOT DIFFERENT, LET ME START WITH THAT.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS STILL ADHERE BY AND PRACTICE AND HAVE DRILLS.

Joy: SURE.

>> BUT WHEN SECONDS MATTER, TECHNOLOGY HAS REALLY ALLOWED US TO COMMUNICATE FASTER.

THAT'S WHAT THIS APP REALLY DOES FOR US.

YOU MENTIONED THE 9-1-1 CENTER, AS HAPPEN STANCE, WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS WHEN WE GOT INTO IT, THE SMART 9-1-1 PARENT COMPANY IS ACTUALLY THE SAME PARENT COMPANY OF THE RAVE APP.

THOSE TIE IN TOGETHER.

TECHNOLOGY HAS TRULY HELPED US, HOPEFULLY SHAVE OFF MINUTES AND SECONDS TO RESPOND IF WE NEED THAT.

Joy: AND WITH THE THINGS I THOUGHT WAS REAL INTERESTING IF SOMEONE CALLS ON A CELL PHONE, THEIR CELLULAR TOWERS TRANGULATE AND YOU DON'T HAVE THAT ACCURATE PINPOINT OF WHERE THE NEED IS IN THE SCHOOL, BUT WITH THIS BUTTON, THIS RAVE TECHNOLOGY, TALK ABOUT HOW THE GEOFFENSING WORKS WHERE CERTAIN PEOPLE GET NOTIFIED, BUT WHAT DO PEOPLE SEE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> RIGHT.

THE APP HAS A LOT OF FUNCTIONALITY OBVIOUSLY FROM A FIRE OR HEALTH EMERGENCIES OR TRUE PANIC.

TO YOUR POINT ON THE GEFENCING, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PINPOINT TO YOUR POINT WHERE A TEACHER IS OR WHERE AN EMPLOYEE IS WHEN THEY PUSH THAT BUTTON.

IT HAPPENS IN NORMAN NORTH IN THE PARKING LOT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OR IN THE 200 HALLWAY AT NORMAN NORTH.

SO WHEN FIRST RESPONDERS ARE NOTIFIED, THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO.

ALSO, THIS APP GIVES US THE ABILITY TO CUSTOMIZE WHO RECEIVES THE NOTIFICATIONS.

LET'S SAY THERE IS AN INCIDENT.

IF IT'S A HEALTH INCIDENT AT A SITE, OBVIOUSLY, THE NURSE WILL GET NOTIFIED.

OUR SRO WILL GET CERTIFIED.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.

EVERYBODY WHO NEEDS TO KNOW WILL GET NOTIFIED.

ALSO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, WE WILL GET NOTIFIED THAT SOMETHING IS HAPPENING AT THAT SITE.

Joy: IS IT SIMILAR TO THE OLD-FASHIONED PHONE TREE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S INSTANTANEOUS.

IT GOES OUT ALL AT ONE TIME.

A SECRETARY OR SUPPORT PERSON OR ADMINISTRATOR DOESN'T HAVE TO GO WHERE IS MY LIST?

WHO DO I HAVE TO CALL AND GO DOWN THE LIST AND CALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE ONE AT A TIME.

EVERYBODY GETS TON THEIR PHONES WITH INFORMATION LISTED ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

Joy: AND WHEN SECONDS COUNT, THAT CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM YOUR STAFF?

>> OH, I THINK IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING NEGATIVE AT ALL ABOUT IT.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP OUR STAFF COMMUNICATE, THEY ARE GOING TO WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS.

Joy: DO TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE APP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS WAS DEPLOYED IN NORMAN HIGH SCHOOLS.

WE STARTED SMALL.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE LAST YEAR WE WERE DOING IT CORRECTLY.

YES, EVERY TEACHER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THIS ON THEIR PERSONAL CELL PHONE.

IT ONLY WORKS ON THE CAMPUS THEY ARE AT AT THAT CURRENT TIME.

WE ARE ARMING THEM CAN COMMUNICATION.

Joy: HOW ABOUT STUDENTS FOR RIGHT NOW?

>> NOT RIGHT NOW.

STUDENTS DON'T HAVE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOR THEM.

WE STILL HAVE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO COMMUNICATE IF THEY NEED.

THERE IS A TIP-LINE OR IF THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE OFFICE, THEY HAVE THAT ABILITY, BUT NOT WITH THE APP AT THIS TIME.

Joy: 47% OF ALL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE HAVE ALREADY COME TO BE AN ADOPTER OF THIS NEW APP AND IT'S FREE FOR DISTRICTS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T YET COME ONBOARD?

>> FIRST TIME I HEARD THAT NUMBER.

THAT'S FANTASTIC.

ALMOST HALF THE STATE.

Joy: IN JUST TWO OR THREE MONTHS.

>> THAT'S HOW EASY IT IS TO IMPLEMENT.

TWO OR THREE MONTHS HALF THE DISTRICTS IN THE STATE HAVE GOTTEN IT.

THOSE WHO HAVEN'T, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULDN'T.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO DO THIS BECAUSE ONE, THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS IMPORTANT, BUT ALSO YOU NEED TO SIGN UP BECAUSE OUR LEGISLATORS NEEDS TO KNOW WE NEED CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THINGS LIKE THIS.

I THINK IT'S THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE MESSAGE, THANK YOU FOR THIS AND WE ARE USING IT.

Joy: IT'S ONE PIECE IN THE MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK INCLUDING THE STUDENT VOICE, WHICH CAN COME THROUGH A MENTAL HEALTH TOOL THAT THIS IS THE YEAR 2020 WHERE WE MAKE THAT AVAILABLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Joy: THROUGH THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

WE HAD 47,0006-12TH GRADERS TAKE THAT THROUGH 2018 AND IT DOES GIVE US ACTION, STEPS BASED ON EVIDENCE.

MANY PIECES AND THIS IS ONE THAT WE THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT IT ALL FITS TOGETHER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TO YOUR POINT, THIS IS JUST ONE PIECE OF A BIGGER PICTURE AND ALL THOSE DIFFERENT PIECES ADD UP TO HELP US ALL BECOME SUCCESSFUL AND ULTIMATELY PROVIDE TO OUR STUDENTS.

Joy: EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU AND SEE WHAT NORMAN IS DOING.

YOU ALL ARE TRAIL BLAZERS FOR CERTAIN AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

Joy: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT FIRST WE'RE SHINING A LIGHT ON ONE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR FIREFIGHTER EARNING AN INTERNATIONAL HONOR.

EISENHOWER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN TULSA RECEIVED THE LABEL FRANC EDUCATION SEAL FOR A SECOND TIME.

THIS DISTINCTION COMES FROM THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

EISENHOWER HAS A ROBUST FRENCH DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR PRE-K THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS.

THE SCHOOL IS THE GOLD STANDARD OF IMMERSION SCHOOLS, NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA, BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THEIR COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE IS WHY EISENHOWER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IS OUR SPOTLIGHT FOR THE MONTH.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT'S ABOUT ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

REMEMBER, IF THERE ARE EDUCATION ISSUES YOU'D LIKE US TO TACKLE, TELL US.

SEND US AN E-MAIL TO EDUCATION MATTERS@SDE.OK.GOV.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON EDUCATION MATTERS.

I'M JOY HOFMEISTER.

AND STAY ENGAGED.

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