Announcement: Office of School Safety Deputy Director

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Welcome to a new school year!

I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself as the new Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Office of School Safety (OSS). This past month, I was honored to accept this role, and I am excited to serve and support Wisconsin schools in this new capacity.

I joined OSS in 2024 as the Crisis Response and Recovery Specialist. Since then, I have had the privilege of leading the OSS Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and supporting Wisconsin school communities as they respond to and recover from crises. Through this work, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible resilience of our Wisconsin students, educators, families, and community partners.

Before joining OSS, I served for 19 years as a school social worker in a Wisconsin school district. My experiences provided me with an understanding of the complex challenges schools face and the tremendous responsibility educators carry each day. They also taught me that meaningful school safety work depends on trusted relationships, thoughtful preparation, and collaboration across disciplines.

Creating school environments where children feel physically and emotionally safe, allowing them to thrive, learn and develop a sense of belonging is a passion of mine.  It is an absolute privilege to continue serving Wisconsin's school communities while helping advance the mission of OSS. I am fortunate to work alongside dedicated colleagues and partners who share a commitment to protecting students and supporting the professionals who care for them.

I look forward to building upon the strong foundation already established within OSS, strengthening our current partnerships, developing new relationships, and continuing to listen to the needs of Wisconsin's schools.

Thank you for welcoming me into this new role. I am truly honored to serve.

With gratitude,

Cheryl