Leaders R.I.S.E. - The Meaning of the book.

I was standing in a leadership team meeting one day preparing to review my part of the agenda for approximately 25 district leaders.  As I glanced at the outline, it hit me pretty hard that day for some reason, we needed to have more talks about what matter the most, why we do what we do, not just what we do.

As I began to contemplate how we could integrate more leadership talks into our meetings, a quote I had heard for years popped into my head, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”  Again, not to be cliche but this is so true.  It really does.  This statement paired with the idea that life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it are at the core of my beliefs as a leader. 

Now let me be very clear,  this does not mean I have mastered any of these concepts at all, in fact, absolutely not.  But the challenge of being a leader never ends and we are all one step or breath away from our next leadership challenge which simply means we have to reflect on these ideas daily.  Thus the meaning of “Leaders R.I.S.E” originated from the idea of needing a routine daily that challenged me to do the small things and lead well by design and routine. 

R.I.S.E.  - Reflect.  Inspire.  Spiritually Connect. Empower. 

This is the acronym spelled out. I expound on each word and concept deeper in my book, but I want to mention here how important it is to have some type of daily routine that you do as a leader that sets your day up for success.  This just happens to be mine. 

Reflect on the day or days before and ask yourself a few simple questions.  What did I do well and what did I do not so well.  How did certain conversations go?  How did I make a certain person or group of people feel?  Was I on time?  Did I give it my all?  These are just some simple examples of how you can reflect on the day and days prior. 

Inspire yourself and others.  Find something in your routine that inspires you.  It could be music, art, a sunrise, a strong cup of coffee (ha).  Whatever it takes to inspire you to move forward, find that thing and embrace those moments.  Then carry that inspiration with you throughout the day and don’t hesitate to share.  Inspiration moves people forward sometimes both mentally and physically!

Spiritually connect.  Some people may hang up on this idea, but don’t let it pass without giving it strong consideration.  I think it is the most important one of them all.  Being spiritually connected to something that is greater than you, us, your problems, and even the entire universe can put things into perspective.  My spiritual connection is to God plain and simple.  Whatever I can do to find a way to connect to Him, I seek that moment or moments each day.  Whether it’s reading the Bible, praying, just listening, or all of the above, I try to find time and quiet my soul and connect spiritually.

And finally….Empower.  Leaders who cannot empower themselves cannot empower others or their teams.  I think this is an area that all leaders should focus on.  This can look a lot of different ways for a lot of people.  This could be done through eating right, exercising, invoking a positive mental attitude, breathing exercises, saying positive quotes out loud, exercising mental and physical discipline, etc.  These are just examples of things we can do every day to empower ourselves first in order to empower those around us. 

So, RISE and shine and have an excellent day as a leader.  You can do it!  Your team and our most precious commodity, the students, are counting on you!

God bless! 

Lead well.

Jeff Collum, Ed.D. 

Why True Leaders R.I.S.E. to the Mission

Leaders, 

We’ve heard it said that “Membership has its privileges”.  Well, in some cases this is true, maybe not all. We’ve also heard it said that “Leadership comes with a cost such as making difficult decisions that negatively affect others, being misunderstood, and sacrificing personal desires for the good of the group. The “cost” is a willingness to endure loneliness, exhaustion, and a loss of personal agendas for the sake of the team’s mission. Well, I would contend in all cases this is definitely true!  

If you study leadership over the years and if you read about some of the greatest leaders in our history, they were chosen and in some cases even thrust into leadership situations where they had to “sink or swim.”  This is part of leadership.  It comes with responsibility, oversight, accountability, and the power to choose the mission.  

I personally believe there is leadership potential in every individual.  I believe we are all leading someone, even if that someone is just ourselves.  As I look back over the years and evaluate the times I’ve been either “thrust” into a leadership challenge or maybe even chose that challenge, I can see that in every situation, there’s a choice.  

The choice is simple.  In true Mission Impossible style, “Will you accept the mission?”  Will you RISE to the challenge.  I expound on this concept further in my book which is coming out soon.  And a point I want to drive home here is that even if you don’t chose every mission, it doesn’t mean you're not a leader. It could simply mean, that wasn’t the mission for you.  

Leaders R.I.S.E.

God bless and lead well! 

Jeff Collum, Ed.D.  

Putting Safety First, City-wide Crisis Drill

School safety is something I care deeply about—it’s at the heart of everything we do here in Conway School District. This August, we held our second annual city-wide crisis drill, bringing together our district staff, local emergency responders, city officials, and many others, all focused on one goal: making sure we’re ready to keep our schools safe in any situation.

This drill is a big deal for us. It gives our staff hands-on experience, working through the steps of a crisis plan, so that if a real emergency were ever to happen, we’d know exactly what to do. Although students weren’t involved, our staff took it seriously, practicing everything from lockdowns to communication plans. Watching everyone work together—our team members side-by-side with police, fire, and other first responders—was powerful and reminded me why this drill is so important.

One of the best parts of doing these drills each year is the chance to learn and improve. After the drill, we all came together to talk about what worked and what didn’t, making notes on how we can get even better next time. Safety isn’t just about running a drill once and moving on; it’s about constantly looking for ways to improve, so we’re as prepared as we can be.

I’m proud of everyone involved in making this drill happen, from our dedicated staff to the amazing first responders who show up every day ready to protect and serve. This drill wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and commitment of so many people, and I’m grateful for each one of them.

At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to keep everyone in our schools safe. That’s a commitment I’m passionate about, and we’ll keep holding these drills every year to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make that happen.

National School Safety Podcast

I am thrilled to share a recent highlight that Mr. Jason Black and I had the privilege of being a part of. We were invited to participate in a National School Safety Podcast hosted by the REMS Data Center from the US Department of Education.

In our conversation, Mr. Black and I delved into the launch and no implementation of the Statewide School Safety Site Assessment toolkit, proudly sponsored by the US Department of Education. This innovative toolkit is a testament to our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of our school campuses.

The recognition we've received for our work on this project, particularly in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Institute and Dr. Cheryl May, has been truly humbling. Nationally acknowledged as leaders in school safety initiatives and efforts, Mr. Black and I have also been invited by the REMS Data Center to serve as subject matter experts in this crucial field.

We are humbled and honored to serve in this effort and all other endeavors. The safety and well-being of our staff and students are a top priority!

The Statewide School Safety Site Assessment toolkit, an app designed to allow individuals to input and share data, serves as a valuable resource for successfully evaluating campuses with a safety perspective in mind. For those interested in learning more about the REMS Data Center, please visit rems.ed.gov.

Safety Podcast

To dive into the insights shared during the National School Safety Podcast featuring Mr. Black and I, click this link or the above button to access Part 2 of Series #9 on Conducting Assessments to Enhance Emergency Management. For additional episodes of the National School Safety Podcast, visit https://rems.ed.gov/podcast.

Jeff S. Collum, Ed.D.

Honored to Serve as a Subject Matter Expert for the REMS TA Center

I’ve been approved to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, through the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center. This is an incredibly meaningful role and one I don’t take lightly. To give a bit of context, there are only around 100 REMS SMEs nationwide, and I am honored to be one of just two SMEs in the state of Arkansas. Being part of such a select group brings a deep sense of responsibility and an exciting opportunity to help make a positive impact on the safety and preparedness of schools in Arkansas and across the country.

The REMS TA Center plays a crucial role in helping educational institutions plan for and respond to a variety of potential emergencies, from natural disasters to public health crises and everything in between. As an SME, my work will complement the REMS TA Center’s mission by lending my experience and insights to a range of projects designed to support schools’ safety and emergency readiness. Here’s a look at some of the ways I’ll be involved:

Supporting Training Delivery

One of my primary responsibilities will be supporting the REMS TA Center’s training efforts. By providing live training sessions, I can work directly with schools and districts to help them enhance their emergency preparedness, whether it’s through workshops, hands-on training exercises, or scenario-based discussions. Schools today face complex safety challenges, and effective training is a cornerstone of resilience. I’m honored to contribute to this essential work, guiding school leaders, teachers, and support staff as they build safer, more prepared learning environments.

Developing Products and Resources

Alongside the training, I will assist in developing resources that the REMS TA Center provides to educators, administrators, and emergency response teams. These resources—whether they are toolkits, guides, checklists, or templates—are designed to give schools the actionable tools they need to plan for emergencies. As we develop these products, I’ll be focusing on ensuring they address the real-world challenges that schools face every day, providing practical solutions and clear guidance.

Leading Webinars and Sharing Insights

Additionally, I will serve as a presenter in REMS TA Center webinars. This platform will allow me to connect with a broader audience, sharing key insights on safety trends, preparedness strategies, and best practices. Webinars are a fantastic way to foster a sense of community among school safety professionals, allowing us to discuss what’s working, what challenges remain, and where we can go from here. By sharing knowledge and discussing emerging needs, I hope to help schools navigate today’s safety landscape with confidence.

Consulting on Emerging Needs in School Safety

The field of school safety is constantly evolving. New challenges and needs are always emerging, and one of my roles as an SME will be to provide the REMS TA Center and the U.S. Department of Education with insights on these evolving dynamics. By keeping my finger on the pulse of school safety, I can help shape resources, strategies, and training that are responsive to the latest developments and risks.

Staying Connected and Available

To fulfill this role effectively, I’ll ensure my contact information remains current, so I’m always ready when the REMS TA Center calls upon me to support these tasks. I view this role as a partnership, one that requires continuous communication, adaptability, and a shared commitment to supporting our school communities.

Being chosen as a subject matter expert for the REMS TA Center is an honor, and I’m excited to bring my experience and perspective to this important work. Our schools are at the heart of every community, and their safety and preparedness are paramount. Together, with the REMS TA Center and educational leaders across the country, we can create environments where students and staff alike feel secure, supported, and ready to thrive.

Thank you to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and the REMS TA Center for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to contributing to our shared mission and making a positive impact on school safety nationwide.

Jeff S. Collum, Ed.D.

REMS TA CENTER

https://rems.ed.gov/