Welcome to Sandy Hook Promise Educator Network

Let's make schools safer, together. 

The Sandy Hook Promise Educator Network connects educators from around the globe to educate and empower youth to prevent violence in schools, homes and communities. Together, we can create a world where all youth are accepted, valued, included, and safe!

Sandy Hook Promise Educator Network is a growing community of educators coming together to navigate challenges, share resources & ideas, celebrate wins, embrace mistakes & failures, and take our teaching practices to the next level to transform our classrooms.

The Sandy Hook Promise Educator Network builds on the connections forged by Beyond Differences. This growing network of educators is coming together to navigate challenges, share resources & ideas, celebrate wins, embrace mistakes/failures, and take our teaching practices to the next level to transform our classrooms and communities. We're so grateful you're here!

What Makes Sandy Hook Promise Educator Network Unique

• Get lessons, resources, tools and strategies to keep your community safer

  • Our evidence-informed, award-winning Start With Hello and Say Something trainings for students are bolstered by professional learning opportunities for adults, including Say Something- Prevent Suicide, and our Trusted Adult training. You’ll also have exclusive access to the Beyond Differences archive of professional development resources on Social Emotional Learning for middle school and to Youth Amplified activities and Belonging Boosters created by high school students on Beyond Differences National Teen Board. 

• Build confidence in your mental health, school safety, and belonging knowledge and practices

  • Whether you’re still in school to become a teacher or are a seasoned professional, everyone has areas of growth. We’re excited to facilitate real, honest conversations about classroom realities and how to apply evidence-based skills and strategies to best meet your students’ needs.

• Recognize early warning signs of students who may be struggling 

  • 100% of school shooters displayed warning signs– violence is preventable if communities Know The Signs! Public health research shows that social isolation manifests in youth as depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and an increased risk of substance abuse. Learning to recognize the early warning signs will help you intervene, prevent tragedies, and ensure that all students have a sense of belonging and connection.

• Empower your students to use their agency to prevent violence by starting or joining a SAVE Promise Club

  • SAVE Promise Clubs– Students Against Violence Everywhere– are a great opportunity for your students to be part of the largest network of youth-led violence prevention in the United States Led by our Youth Advisory Board, SAVE Promise Clubs empower young leaders to take an active role in increasing school safety and preventing violence in schools and communities.

• Connect with and learn from like-minded educators from around the world

  • Our curricula has been utilized in schools in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, England, Fiji, Germany, Greece, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and all 50 states. Help us continue to build a global network of educators dedicated to keeping up with best practices on belonging, mental health, and school safety. We know you have tons of colleagues who care about children's safety – invite them to join us!  

• Share your expertise and collaborate with educators who may be struggling 

  • Research shows that when someone is struggling, knowing they’re not alone is one of the foundations of self compassion. If you’ve got spoons to spare, put your energy and experience to good use and support your fellow teachers. 

• Join live professional learning opportunities to learn from and ask questions of industry experts

  • Throughout the school year Sandy Hook Promise hosts industry experts on a variety of topics. Past speakers include award-winning educator, equity leader, and SEL expert Aija Simmons, author of Turtle Boy Evan Wolkenstein, and restorative justice expert and Executive Director of Youth Transforming Justice Don Carney.  

• Reflect on professional learning replays featuring industry experts

  • Can’t make it to a live session? Itching to revisit the amazing questions that were asked during a previous training? No problem! Every session will be recorded and uploaded within a week, along with any slides and resources shared. 

• Maximize participation for Start With Hello, No One Eats Alone & Say Something

  • Get resources for each activation, including curated lesson plans, student leadership suggestions, K-12 student-facing materials available in Spanish, family and community engagement ideas, and more! 

• Create space for your own mental health and take time to slow down and reflect

  • We know no one works harder than teachers, but you need, and deserve, time for yourself, too. Practicing mindfulness and creating a culture of belonging for educators starts here, with us.