What happens when a school leader has to say “this is not a drill”?
On March 27, 2023, Leigh Toomey was the Head of School when shots were fired at the Covenant School in Nashville. In the hours and days that followed, she had to lead her community through lockdown, reunification, grief, and recovery.
In this episode, Leigh shares what that experience taught her about crisis leadership, trauma-informed school culture, and why women’s voices are essential in educational leadership today.
Whether you’re a Head of School, division leader, or classroom teacher, this conversation will help you think differently about preparedness, communication, and what it means to lead with both courage and compassion.
What You’ll Learn
1. Leading Through Crisis in Real Time

What it’s actually like to make a “this is not a drill” announcement — and how training and instinct work together under pressure
Why your first call during an emergency should be to law enforcement, not parents
How to prepare your leadership team for both the operational and emotional realities of crisis response

2. Practical Steps to Strengthen School Safety

Facility and procedural changes that “buy time” for first responders without breaking your budget
Affordable safety measures any school can implement, from website updates to staff training
Why reviewing and rehearsing lockdown and reunification plans regularly isn’t optional

3. Supporting Communities After Trauma

How Leigh’s school came together to grieve, pray, and rebuild after the Covenant tragedy
The importance of trauma-informed drills and understanding what triggers students
Ways to train faculty in de-escalation, first aid, and emotional regulation after crisis

4. Women in Educational Leadership

Why Leigh founded LeadHership Educational Solutions to support women in school leadership
How confidence, mentorship, and community help women step into leadership roles boldly
Why you don’t need to know everything to lead effectively — and why perfectionism holds women back

4. Redefining Leadership with Compassion

How vulnerability and courage coexist in strong leadership
Why resilient schools are built on strong teams, open communication, and empathy
What it means to lead with both professionalism and humanity in today’s climate

Key Takeaways for School Leaders

Preparedness is compassion in action. Planning for crisis isn’t fear-based — it’s care-based.
Communication saves lives. Clarity and coordination matter more than speed in emergencies.
Leadership is shared. Every staff member plays a role in school safety and culture.
Women belong at the decision table. Confidence grows when community and mentorship are present.
Healing takes time and togetherness. Schools recover best when they grieve, plan, and rebuild as one.

About Leigh Toomey
Leigh Toomey is the founder of LeadHership Educational Solutions and a former Head of School with deep experience in crisis management, women’s leadership development, and school culture. She brings a unique blend of business acumen and educational leadership to her consulting work, helping schools build safer, stronger communities.
After leading her school through the aftermath of the Covenant School tragedy in Nashville, Leigh became a passionate advocate for trauma-informed practices, preparedness planning, and empowering women in educational leadership.
Resourced & Links
Leigh Toomey — LeadHership Educational Solutions: leadHershipeducationalsolutions.com Contact: [email protected]  Voices for a Safer Tennessee: safertn.org Help 100 Schools Movement: help100schools.com
Join the Conversation
How is your school preparing for crisis management while building community trust?
Share your thoughts on social media and tag #Help100Schools
Subscribe to the Help 100 Schools Podcast for more conversations on leadership, growth, and building stronger school communities.

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