Jeff Pierson brings 31 years of experience in education and school leadership, including roles as a teacher, head coach, athletic director, high school principal, parent, and Executive Director of School Safety for Jeffco Public Schools. His extensive experience in schools, combined with eight years of dedicated leadership in school safety, has given him a practical, school-based perspective on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from critical incidents. For the past eight years, Jeff has led efforts to strengthen school safety systems across Jeffco Public Schools, with a particular focus on incident command, emergency response, threat management, and student reunification. He played a key role in redesigning and improving the district’s incident command and reunification processes, including establishing clearer roles, responsibilities, decision-making authority, and organizational hierarchy during emergencies. His work focused on creating systems that are practical for school leaders and can be effectively implemented under the pressure and uncertainty of a real crisis.

Jeff also developed and implemented a mandatory three-hour School Administrator Training Academy for all Jeffco administrators providing school leaders with practical preparation in school safety, threat management, incident command, emergency response, and reunification. Administrators also participated in tabletop scenarios designed to challenge decision-making, communication, leadership, and coordination during realistic school emergency situations. A significant component of Jeff’s work has been strengthening emergency reunification practices. He has worked with schools to clarify leadership responsibilities, develop more effective reunification structures, and improve the coordination necessary to safely account for students and staff and reunite students with their families following an emergency.

Prior to his school safety leadership role in JEFFCO, Jeff served for eight years as the Principal of Standley Lake High School. That experience reinforced his belief that effective school safety begins long before an emergency occurs as he navigated a number of school tragedies that were felt by the entire community. Strong relationships, positive school culture, effective communication, and a supportive learning environment are essential components of both physical and psychological safety. Jeff approaches school safety from the perspective of a practitioner and school leader. His training emphasizes clear systems, defined responsibilities, practical decision-making, and realistic preparation not simply policies and procedures. He is passionate about helping school leaders build the knowledge, confidence, and organizational structures necessary to lead effectively before, during, and after a critical incident.

Jeff currently serves as the Interim Principal at Jefferson Academy Secondary School in Broomfield, Colorado.