Leading School Safety Together, Not Alone with Katey McPherson

About this episode

Katey McPherson discusses the importance of community-centered leadership in school safety and the need for shared responsibility among leaders.

Leadership in school safety can feel heavy—especially when it feels like everything depends on you. Katey McPherson, experienced school leader, former administrator, and advocate for community-centered leadership, joins this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety to explore what it really means to lead in today’s environment—and why no one should have to do it alone. From navigating complex challenges to building cultures rooted in trust and belonging, Katey brings a deeply human perspective to leadership. Influenced by a lifetime of advocacy and service, she understands both the pressure leaders carry and the power of shared responsibility. This conversation moves beyond strategy and into something more honest: the reality that leadership can feel isolating—and the reminder that meaningful change only happens when we build it together. Through community-centered leadership, coalition-building, and a commitment to people, Katey shows us what it looks like to shift from carrying the weight alone to leading alongside others. In this conversation: Why school leadership can feel isolating—and how that impacts decision-making The role of community-centered leadership in…

People in this episode

Host: Safe and Sound Schools

Guest: Katey McPherson

Topics covered

• school safety
• community-centered leadership
• coalition-building
• trust and belonging
• leadership challenges

Keywords

• school leadership
• safety culture
• community engagement
• meaningful change
• shared responsibility

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Safe and Sound Schools

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