By Bishop John Jackson,D.D., Florida State Spokesman, Protect Our Children Project

As buses roll downFlorida roadways and school bell chimes mark the start of a new academic year,parents across our state are checking off supply lists, arranging carpools, anddouble-checking schedules. But while backpack sizes and lunchbox choices vary,every Florida family shares one common wish as the school year begins: that their children return home safe every single day.

At the Protect Our Children Project, we know that achievingtrue safety in our educational spaces requires a comprehensive approach. Foryears, school safety conversations have focused almost exclusively on physicalperimeter security and student-focused initiatives. While vital, those measuresleave out a central figure in the classroom ecosystem: our teachers. Simply put, we cannot protect ourchildren if we fail to protect the educators tasked with guiding them. Teachersafety is student safety.

The Foundation: WhyEducator Security Comes First

When teachers feelthreatened, unsupported, or unsafe in their own classrooms, the learningenvironment breaks down. A secure classroom is one where educators can focusentirely on instruction, mentorship, and fostering curiosity, rather thanmanaging unaddressed security vulnerabilities or escalating disruptions.

Protecting educators onschool grounds isn't just about physical security; it’s about creating aholistic culture of support, clear boundaries, and proactive prevention.

"When we equip,respect, and defend our educators, we create a secure fortress where learningthrives and children remain safe."

3 Essential Pillars toProtect Florida's Teachers This School Year

To ensure our educators feel secure on school grounds andin their classrooms, the Protect Our Children Project advocates three corepriorities this school year:

1. Robust PhysicalSecurity & Access Control

Teachers shouldn't have to worry about unsecured accesspoints or delayed emergency notifications while trying to deliver a lesson.

• Controlled Access: Enforcing strict single-point-of-entry protocols across all campus     grounds.

• Immediate Alert Technology: Ensuring every     teacher has direct access to silent, panic-button technology linked     directly to local emergency responders and School Resource Officers     (SROs).
• Clear Classroom Lock Standards: Upgrading     classroom doors to allow quick, safe locking mechanisms from inside the room.

2. Behavioral Support& Zero Tolerance for Abuse

Verbal threats, harassment, and physical violence towardeducators have no place in Florida schools.

• Clear Disciplinary     Policies: School leadership must enforce     transparent, consistent consequences for extreme disruptive behavior or     threats against staff.
• De-escalation &     Crisis Training: Providing teachers with ongoing,  high-quality training to recognize warning signs early and safely     de-escalate aggressive situations before they escalate into violence.

3. Community &Parent-Teacher Partnership

Safety is a shared responsibility. Teachers cannot beexpected to solve deeper societal or behavioral challenges alone.

• Open Lines of  Communication: Encouraging parents to     proactively partner with teachers to address behavioral or emotional     concerns before they reach a crisis level.
• Anonymized Reporting     Tools: Promoting statewide reporting platforms (such as Fortify     FL) so students, parents, and teachers can confidentially flag potential     safety threats before they manifest on campus.

A Call to Action forFlorida Communities

As we step into this newschool year, the Protect Our Children Project callson school administrators, local lawmakers, and parents across Florida to standalongside our educators.

Check in on yourchildren's teachers. Advocate for local school board policies that prioritizestaff safety and mental health support. Enforce safety protocols with fidelityat your local schools.

When teachers are safe,supported, and empowered, our children get the secure, thriving environmentthey deserve. Let's make this school year Florida's safest one yet.

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