Amy Woosley

Week 7 Assignment

Crisis Management Plan Week 7

1. In a one to two page Report, describe at least one crisis that has happened at your school or
organization recently, how the Crisis Management Plan was implemented (explain if the CMP was
not present or used), and what was learned from the experience to assist in revising or updating the
CMP. Also, assess to your knowledge, how the best practices described in the text were apparent in
leadership during the crisis.
This instance that I am going to be describing did not happen at my current school. I have only
worked for Denver City ISD for 2 years. The crisis management plan I experienced happened
when I was the head volleyball coach at Azle High School. It was the week before spring break
and one of our junior high classes was leaving to go on a field trip. With two junior highs in the
district and 4 teams at each school I was not only the leader of my high school program with 3
assistant coaches, I was also the leader of 8 assistant coaches at the junior high schools. On the
Monday morning at around 7:45am I received a phone call from our athletic director. I informed
me that I needed to meet him at South Junior High immediately. I called my high school
assistant coaches and let them know they needed to take care of first and second period athletics
because I was being called to the junior high.
I showed up the junior high at the exact same time as my principal at the high school and the
athletic director. The principal of South Junior High was waiting outside for us and had already
been notified by the family. Since we arrived at the same time the two principals and athletic
director decided that the parking lot would be the best place for us three to meet in private
because once we got inside we probably would not have a chance to meet with just us three.
They informed me that one of my assistant coaches (the athletic coordinator of this school) had
committed suicide that morning before school. For the sake of the family we decided it was best
not to give details of the death to anyone. We would leave that up to the family themselves. My
principal took the lead and did an awesome job of setting our CMP into motion from this point.
Our superintendent was on his way and together we were going to go in and tell her fellow
coaches the news. With her being such a pillar in the community being involved as a coach of
every junior high girls sport and an 8th grade science teacher we knew that the news would be
almost catastrophic to all schools. Kids from this school, the high school, and even the other
junior high. At this point all administrators had been notified and it was time to act. The
superintendent did an amazing job staying calm and delegating. The directives were well
practiced and this practice was evident in his effective communication. The athletic director, the
South Principal, and the Superintendent were going to stay at the junior high to notify the
coaching staff and teaching staff. The Superintendent would also be sending a School Reach
message to all parents in the entire community notifying them and informing them that should
they wish to check their child out they needed to at the front office. They would gather the
student body in the auditorium and notify them of this tragedy, sparing the details. The high

Amy Woosley
Week 7 Assignment

school principal, the head basketball coach that had just arrived, and I were to head back to the
high school to call together the staff and advise them of the upcoming student body meeting. He
stopped at the doors and took the opportunity to calm us and coach us through the upcoming
events. He knew that as coaches we spend a LOT of time together and friendships were built. It
was at that time I realized that I dont get to fall apart even though I was great friends with her. I
had to be a leader for my fellow peers but more importantly, my girls on my team! We walked in
and it all began. We called the staff in during passing. At the beginning of the year we are told
that if we ever hear the message All teachers meet in the library during school that it was a
moment of Crisis. Once the staff was notified our principal called all students to the auditorium.
He pulled the coaches aside and asked that we keep all girls in athletics in the gym after the
meeting because he knew they would be effected the most. Teachers were advised to observe
any concerning behaviors from students. All counselors from every school (5 elementaries, 2
junior highs, and the high school.I believe there were 20 total counselors) would be available
at both junior highs and the high school for students in need. The aftermath was exactly how we
anticipated. We let the kids just sit and mourn the loss of and awesome teacher and an amazing
coach. There was screaming and crying and at times complete silence. On the inside I just
remember the need to just scream myself but I knew that I had a job to do. I had a very close
friendship with her and even had moments of guilt about what I missed. Everyone in this district
knew exactly what to do in a time like this. We all stayed calm and protected the students first.
It wasnt until I was able to go home that night that it all really hit. I reflected back on the day
and was literally amazed at the leadership skills that I witnessed throughout the entire day.
Starting with the phone call from my athletic director at 7:45am. It made me proud to work for a
district that knew the job they had to do and that was to serve the students. The aftermath lasted
for almost a week and then began to calm. The counselors were able to slowly return to their
schools and the students began to heal.