National Academies report informs Dr. Anderson’s teaching, professional practice and work to strengthen school safety

For nearly a decade, Dr. Stacy Anderson has brought her expertise in school psychology, crisis prevention and school safety to students at the University of Arizona Chandler campus. Now, her work is helping translate a national research report into practical strategies for schools and the educators who serve them.

Anderson was recently featured by the National Academies for her work applying recommendations from its report, School Active Shooter Drills: Mitigating Risks to Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health. The 2025 consensus study examines how active shooter drills are conducted in schools and offers evidence-based recommendations for promoting preparedness while minimizing potential harm to students and educators.

As a school psychologist, Anderson has incorporated the report’s findings into her work with the Arizona Association of School Psychologists, the Arizona Department of Education’s Comprehensive School Safety Advisory Council and Paradise Valley Unified School District. She has used the research to help guide best practices, strengthen proactive planning and address the mental, emotional and behavioral health needs of students and staff.

Her expertise also directly benefits University of Arizona students. Anderson integrates the National Academies report into a graduate course focused on crisis prevention, intervention and response to school and community violence. Students examine the report alongside other leading school safety frameworks and learn how to identify pathways to violence and build effective multidisciplinary school safety teams.

The connection between Anderson’s professional work and her teaching exemplifies the value of learning from educators who are actively engaged in the field. For students preparing to work in schools and communities, her classroom provides an opportunity to learn from current research while seeing how that research is translated into real-world practice.

Anderson’s recognition by the National Academies highlights the depth of expertise she brings to her teaching and the impact that expertise can have beyond the classroom. Through her continued work with schools, professional organizations and the University of Arizona, she is helping prepare the next generation of educators and school professionals to approach school safety with thoughtful, evidence-based strategies.
 

Read More Here:  https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/national-academies-report-inspires-actionable-school-safety-strategies