Friends in the Business

School Safety consulting can sometimes be a dog-eat-dog business.  There are a LOT of professionals, and some not so professional people, who engage in the business of making schools safer.  I have run into a few not-so-professional people, but by and large I have been impressed with many I have worked with, a couple of whom I've already blogged about, Dave Grossman and Michael Dorn.

Another one of the good guys is Dale Yeager, CEO of SERAPH, the Problem Solving Company.  I first met Dale many moons ago through the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy.  He is a criminal analyst, the civilian equivalent of a profiler.  He was involved in the first investigation of the Jon Bonet Ramsey murder.  Criminal profiling is a hobby of mine, and Dale's insights and knowledge have helped me strengthen my knowledge in that area.

As part of our REMS Grant implementation, Dale came to us and provided my staff with training in recognizing violent behavior, and protecting ourselves from that violence.  My staff came away from that training very impressed, as they were not only taught the theory, but practical applications.  They engaged in neural-linguistic programming, autogenic breathing, and basic self-defense principles that left my staff more confident in their ability to handle whatever may occur in their classroom.

His company handles all sorts of security training, for universities, for nightclubs and arenas, law enforcement, and the military.  SERAPH also provides legal services, and consulting services such as helping school districts find funding for their educational efforts.  Most importantly, Dale is a man of integrity, as are the people who work with him. 

Working in the school safety field is not a place for a lot of accolades.  Usually people don't think about you unless there is a problem, and afterward they would just as soon forget about you.  Sheepdogs are not the kind of people who do what they do for accolades.  We do what we do because it protects people, especially children.  We do derive pleasure from the relationships we build during our work.  Dale is a friend, and a colleague, and is truly dedicated to being a sheepdog.

Thanks Dale!
http://www.seraph.net/