It only takes one person with a gun to shatter the sense of safety within a school, turning a place of learning into a scene of tragedy. At Bridgeprep Academy Village Green, a charter school in Southwest Miami-Dade, safety is prioritized with utmost attention.
In an era when school shootings have become an all-too familiar headline, establishing the safety of students and staff is no longer an afterthought- it’s a daily priority.
Natasha Pages, a high school English teacher with more than 20 years of experience, knows these safety procedures all too well as the lead English teacher of grades 9 through 12. While she teaches classic literature and coaches students through essays, she ensures that the well-being of her students is as much a part of her job as teaching Shakespeare.
“Many people don’t see that side of our job,” she said. “We don’t just teach our lessons for the day, we also practice safety which is just as important as anything I teach my students.”
Located at 13300 SW 120th St., Bridge prep is middle-high School dedicated to academic excellence, serving students across Miami-Dade County. The campus is modern and well-kept, with lively classrooms, hallways full of student work, and open areas that foster a welcoming and engaging learning environment. They are just one example of the measures schools have to take today to provide both a high-quality education and a safe, supportive space for their students.
“As teachers, we’re not just focused on academic, we’re also thinking about how to make our students feel safe and supported every day,” Pages said. “It is about creating a space where they can focus on learning without fear, and that starts with the environment we build in our classrooms.”
Inside Pages’ classroom, there is a combination of students with diverse backgrounds, reflecting the multicultural spirit of Miami. Her classroom is bright and tidy, lined with books and posters that reflect her commitment and love for teaching. The atmosphere is warm, structured, and filled with encouragement- creating the kind of environment where children are excited to learn. She teaches about 25 high school students per class, many of whom are working toward college while navigating a world that sometimes feels more uncertain than ever.
In response to the growing threat of school shootings, educators and safety officials are struggling with finding the best ways to protect students while maintaining a productive learning environment. Schools across the nation have adopted heightened security measures, from reinforced entry and exit points to active shooter drills, however, many wonder if these precautions are truly enough. With incidents continuing to occur, the conversations around school safety is more urgent than ever. But at schools like these, they could set the example for other schools who struggle to initiate proficient security measures.
“When I hear about a school shooting on the news, my heart sinks because it is heavy to process,” Pages said. “I start thinking about my own students, my own kids, if we were ever faced with something like that.”
The responsibility of keeping students safe heavily weighs on educators. Teachers are now expected to be more than educators-they have to turn into first responders in a moment of crisis.
Between 2008 and 2020, the United States experienced a fluctuating yet concerning number of school shootings. During the 2008-2009 school year, 15 incidents were recorded, resulting in 17 deaths and 30 injuries. While some years showed a decline, such as in 2010-2011 with 14 school shooting, others saw a significant rise, including in 2018-2019, which recorded 43 school shootings. Despite the year to year variations, the overall trend highlights the ongoing and serious issue of gun violence in educational settings.
According to CNN, there was a notable increase in school shootings between 2021 and 2024. In 2021, approximately 74 incidents were reported, rising to 80 in 2022. This upward trend persisted with 82 school shootings in 2023 and 83 in 2024. This steady escalation emphasizes the growing crisis of gun violende in schools, raising serious concerns among educators nationwide.
“When I was a kid I would never worry about a school shootings because it wasn’t common,” she said. “The amount of school shootings that have happened over the past years are absurd.”
Pages explained that maintaining a safe school environment requires constant attention and teamwork. Staff must ensure that doors are locked at all times, participate in regular drills, and stay alert to any potential security risks. The school also has a dedicated threat assessment team that reviews each drill and provides feedback, helping the staff identify areas for improvement to strengthen their overall safety protocols.
“During the drills, there is always a moment where my heart races a little because even though its practice, it is a reminder of what could happen,” she said. “I try to stay calm for my students, but yes, it is stressful at times.”
Teachers undergo mandatory safety training every year at Bridgeprep Academy, including watching an instructional video on how to respond to an active shooter scenario and displaying a safety corner in all of the classrooms.
Pages recalls that practicing safety drills with students is an important part of their routine, and one she takes very seriously. She emphasized the value of making sure students understand what to do in a dangerous situation while school is in session. For her, it is not just about going through the motions, it is about helping students feel prepared and confident, even in uncertain circumstances.
“When we run safety drills with the students, it is always a mix of emotions because I know my students are looking to me for guidance,” said Pages.
Pages still remembers the first time her class practiced a lockdown drill. One student, unsure of where to go, hesitated in the middle of room, looking around with wide eyes. It was a small moment, but it left a big impact. “It really opened my eyes to how important clear instructions are,” she recalled. That experience pushed her to rethink how she communicated during drills- not just giving directions, but doing so with calm energy that helps her students feel safe. Since then, she has become more intentional with her words and presence during each drill.
“Every time we practice, we learn something new,” she said. “I do feel like I’ve gotten better over the years, but it is something you never stop preparing for.”
While teachers like Pages make sure students feel safe in their classrooms, Didi Jimeno, the Director of Safety and Operations at Bridgeprep Academy, ensures that all the Bridgeprep campuses in the south region are up to speed with the necessary safety compliance.
Jimeno oversees everything from security camera installations and emergency drills to coordinating with local law enforcement. Her job also involves training staff on how to handle a variety of situations, from medical emergencies to lockdown procedures.
With over 20 years of operational experience, her inspiration for working in education stems from her three children.
“I enjoy this job because it is a way to give back to the community and my children also,” said Jimeno with a grin on her face.
As a mother, one of her biggest concerns is ensuring that students and staff feel prepared without creating an atmosphere of fear.
Jimeno has emphasized the importance of keeping Bridgeprep Academy safe, stating, “we are constantly upgrading security measures and making sure our response plans are up to date just in case an active shooter decides to come into our buildings.”
For extra security purposes, school resource officers are placed in every school for protection after the fatal school shooting in Parkland. Effective on August 1, 2024, the HB 4273 law was passed stating that an armed school resource officer must be on school premises during school hours in the state of Florida.
“As a director of safety, when a major tragedy like Parkland happens, it is emotional because I ask myself if our schools are prepared as much as they can be and if we are doing enough,” Jimeno said. “However, these thoughts reinforce how much my job means to me and how we can protect our kids and give parents peace of mind.”
This year, the law has brought significant improvements by mandating that classrooms be locked and the perimeter sealed, with officers patrolling the area. These measures hold schools more accountable for their safety procedures.
This school has also been subject to safety inspections. Jimeno recalls that “if a school fails a safety inspection, it can be shut down immediately because there is no leeway anymore.” She explains that “these strict measures ensure that schools are consistently meeting security standards.”
Bridgeprep Academy is committed to ensuring the safety of all students and staff, and as an added precaution, the school utilizes the Raptor Safety app. This app is specifically designed to amplify school safety by equipping teachers and administrators with real-time tools to reduce critical seconds from emergency response times. With just one tap, all staff members can send instant alerts, report threats, and initate drills- whether they are in the classroom, cafeteria, or even outside- allowing up to 30 extra seconds to secure classrooms and alert first responders.
Developed in 2002, the Raptor app is now used in over 5,300 K-12 school districts across the nation. Bridgeprep Academy is proud to be one of the few schools in the region using it proactively. Through real-time location tracking and quick status updates, administrators can also see who is safe and who needs help, all without relying on walkie-talkies or waiting for announcements. While implementation costs vary by district, many schools are able to access state or grant funding to support its use.
“It’s incredibly easy to use and access and it gives me a comfort knowing I can respond instantly or be aware in any situation,” emphasized Pages. “This app has been a great tool that we implemented.”
Both Pages and Jimeno agree that while progress has been made, there is always room for improvement. School safety is not just the responsibility of teachers and administrators- it’s a shared effort between the school, students, parents, and community members.
Parents are encouraged to stay involved, communicate their concerns, and reinforce the importance of safety with their children. Students, too, play a role by reporting suspicious behavior, following safety protocols, and looking out for one another.
“Just like teachers, parents should also have to watch a video or undergo training on school safety procedures,” said Pages. “Maybe then they’d have a better understanding on how serious school shootings and safety are.”
A parent of a student at Bridgeprep Academy, who has chosen to remain anonymous, shared that school safety is a constant priority in their daily thoughts. They expressed appreciation for the school’s proactive measures, ranging from secure entrances to regular emergency drills, emphasizing that Bridgeprep is committed to creating a secure environment where every student feels protected and cared for.
“I have had conversations with my child about school emergencies, and how it is important to pay attention,” the parent said. “I just know when I say goodbye to my child in the morning that they are walking into a place that puts their safety first.”
As schools continue to evolve, so do the challenges of keeping them safe. But with dedicated professionals like Pages and Jimeno leading the way, the mission remains clear: protecting the future by creating a secure and supportive environment for every student.
“Schools should be a safe place for students,” Pages said in a firm yet warm tone. “I want my students to focus on learning without the shadow of fear hanging over them.”
“We are all in this together,” said Jimeno. “The more we work as a team, the safer our schools will be.”
