On March 27, 2023, our guest was a teacher at The Covenant School in Nashville—a place she had poured her heart into. In this episode, our guest recounts the moments before, during, and after the tragedy that unfolded.

She walks us through her second-by-second decision making process as she decides the best way to help the others in the building and also get herself out safely. She fled into the woods with children, thanking God that the spring leaves had started to arrive and provided concealment as they ran from the school. She shares how prior active shooter response training prepared her for split-second decisions she made to protect children, and the aftermath of surviving one of the most traumatic events imaginable.

We also reflect on the lasting legacy of Head of School Katherine Koonce, who made the decision to bring training to Covenant staff just a year earlier. “Katherine saved our lives,” our guest says.

This episode is a moving tribute to courage, preparation, and the unwavering strength of educators in the face of the unthinkable.

Notes:

2:40 - Journey to becoming a teacher and why

8:05 - Recounting her morning on March 27, 2023

10:00 - Recognizing the sound of gunshots in a building and processing using previous active shooter response training

13:20 - “Hearing that [gunfire in a building during active shooter response training] saved my life. I probably would have gone down to investigate.”

20:20 - Realizing others in the building probably only heard the fire alarm. “How can I save as many people as possible?”

27:50 - All of this happened in under 2 minutes

30:40 - Conversation with the 911 dispatcher and getting children away from the school

40:00 - People all responded differently

43:55 - For 14 minutes, it was teacher vs. gunman.

45:40 - The staff did an outstanding job scripting and performing even after they had evaded.

1:03:40 - People can make excellent decisions under stress when they have prepared even a little.

1:15:20 - Fogginess after a traumatic event and dealing with survivor’s guilt

1:19:54 - Advice for teachers about why training is important

1:25:25 - Honoring Head of School Katherine Koonce