Minneapolis, Minnesota - Dr. Grace A. Tumamak, a U.S.-based educator and internationally experienced crisis-preparedness expert, has released a research-backed educational resilience framework that aligns directly with national priorities in public education, safety, and community resilience. Her peer-reviewed publication, Disaster-Proof Learning: Strategies for Sustaining Education in Times of Crisis, archived by Zenodo (DOI:10.5281/zenodo. 15112982), offers a comprehensive model to ensure that U.S. K–12 schools can maintain learning and mental health support in the face of disasters.
As the United States continues to contend with increasing natural disasters, gun violence, and public health emergencies, there is growing federal recognition that school preparedness must evolve beyond security hardware and reactive protocols. Dr. Tumamak’s work meets this need with a forward-looking solution grounded in trauma-informed pedagogy, inclusive crisis-response systems, and institutional capacity-building.
In the publication, Dr. Tumamak proposes a tripartite model for resilient schooling, emphasizing:
- Wellness-Driven Learning Environments – centering students' emotional and psychological safety alongside physical preparedness;
- Technology-Supported Continuity – leveraging digital tools to deliver education during displacements or closures;
- Community-Based Risk Mapping – empowering educators to assess and mitigate local hazards through localized planning.
These proposals mirror national concerns raised by U.S. government bodies, including the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, which have highlighted the urgent need for scalable school emergency operations plans and mental health supports. Dr. Tumamak's framework also supports goals articulated in the STOP School Violence Act, the National Preparedness Goal, and Healthy People 2030, all of which identify K–12 safety, equity, and continuity as central to national interest.
The Zenodo publication draws on international best practices, including Australia’s Stormbirds Program and the Philippines’ disaster education reforms post-Typhoon Haiyan, offering practical methods successfully implemented in comparable high-risk environments. Dr. Tumamak supplements these case studies with her first-hand experience leading school-based DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) efforts in the Philippines and her current instructional leadership role in Florida, one of the most disaster-vulnerable states in the U.S.
"Preparedness in schools must go beyond evacuation routes. It’s about building systems that protect learning, safeguard emotional wellbeing, and sustain communities when everything else is uncertain." – Dr. Grace A. Tumamak
With her consultancy, Preparedness Resources for Educational Professionals (PREP), now established, Dr. Tumamak is translating this framework into action. PREP offers emergency planning audits, training for educators, and community engagement strategies tailored to high-need and under-resourced districts. Her approach is deeply aligned with national policy directives and fills a gap not currently addressed by security-focused vendors.
By situating her work at the intersection of education, public safety, and social equity, Dr. Tumamak is not only advancing pedagogical innovation—she is answering a national call to prepare U.S. schools for an increasingly uncertain future.
For more information or to access the full study, visit: Disaster-Proof Learning: Strategies for Sustaining Education in Times of Crisis https://zenodo.org/records/15112982
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