Name: Strategies for Improving School Climate and Safety
Start: 2026-01-29T14:00:00ZEST
End: 2026-01-29T15:00:00ZEST

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District and school leaders face the daily pressure of raising academic achievement and increasing student engagement while also protecting the mental health of their students and staff. Developing a school culture that supports all three involves several factors.

In this webinar, staff writer Lauraine Langreo will lead a conversation on some of the strategies K-12 districts have utilized inside and outside the classroom to establish a positive school climate. You will get a chance to hear from the Middle School Principal of the Year, a school climate researcher, and a high school student leader. They will share best practices and lessons they have learned about the conditions that create a safe and positive school environment.

Damon Lewis

Principal, Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy

Dr. Damon C. Lewis is the principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk, CT. Prior to that, he has served as an assistant principal and a school counselor in districts across Connecticut. Lewis was named the Connecticut Middle School Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools in February 2025 and the National Middle Level Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in July 2025.

George LaComb

Florida Representative for the National Student Council

George LaComb is the Florida Representative for the National Student Council, where he represents more than 3 million students and 8,000 schools statewide. A high school student leader with over seven years of experience in student government, George works to elevate student voice in conversations about school climate, safety, and student well-being. He has advocated for education policy at the state and national levels, including meeting with members of Congress on issues such as school funding and student support. Through his leadership, George focuses on how school culture, mental health, and engagement directly impact student success, bringing an on-the-ground perspective from classrooms and campuses across Florida.

Catherine Bradshaw

Senior associate dean for research, University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development

Catherine P. Bradshaw, Ph.D., M.Ed., is a professor and the senior associate dean for research at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development. Her research focuses on school-based prevention of behavioral and mental health problems. She has expertise in bullying and school climate, and the design, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based prevention programs in schools. She has received over 70M in research grants for her work. She is the editor of the journal Prevention Science and is the senior associate editor for Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy. She is a member of the National Academy of Education and a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association.

Lauraine Langreo

Staff Writer, Education Week

Lauraine Langreo is an Education Week staff writer, covering education technology and learning environments.

For all webinars broadcast by Education Week after August 1, 2019, Certificates of Completion are available to all registered live attendees who attend 53 minutes or more of this webinar. Educators can download a PDF certificate verifying 1 hour of Professional Development credit. As with all professional development hours delivered, Education Week recommends each educator verify ahead of the webinar broadcast that the content will qualify for professional development in your school, district, county, or state with your supervisor, human resources professional, and/or principal or superintendent’s office.

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Strategies for Improving School Climate and Safety

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