About

 

 

Kiki Leyba was a first year teacher at Columbine when the tragedy rocked a nation. The experience left him in a dark and unfathomable place. Trauma tested him at every level.

In the midst of battling PTSD, Kiki Leyba - the teacher - mentored hundreds of students through the difficult years that followed. In his writing class, students found a voice, a way to purge pain, and they realized commonalities were a binding force.  But…in private, Leyba struggled to navigate family, relationships, and health, in what became the most challenging years he had ever known. Then, while it seemed impossible, near the end of a school day in February of 2010, Kiki was notified that there was a shooting at his son’s middle school. He recalls seeing the news footage and recognizing his son’s backpack.

 

This became a benchmark day in Leyba's life: supporting others traumatized by school violence became a calling.

 

Drawing upon 19 years of experience, Kiki dedicates himself to helping students, schools and communities navigate the complex aftermath of campus violence. Most recently Kiki worked with Safe and Sound Schools and the Maryland Center for School Safety. He continues to stay in contact with The Sandy Hook community in Newtown post-tragedy.  Shortly after the horrific events there, at the request of SHS staff members, Leyba met with them to begin the difficult conversations about what to expect in the coming years. His deep connection with the staff and understanding of the challenges they face prompted a community organization to seek his expertise. Leyba was invited by the Newtown Resiliency Center to be a speaker at their Community Day.

 

He worked alongside survivors and victims’ from: VTV, the Nickel Mines Amish; Chardon, Ohio, Sandy Hook, Columbine, the Columbine High School Community, Platte Canyon High School, Deer Creek Middle School community, Newtown community, Arapahoe High School students, staff, and community.

 

Kiki, who is published in Teaching Tolerance, has appeared on CBS National News, and KUSA Denver. His direct approach cuts through layers of fear and defenses to approach the issues in an authentic, unconventional way. He is fearlessly open about his experience. He tells his Honors English and Creative Writing classes, "Ask Me Anything."

 

As he looks to the future, he believes that Campus Safety and Support must be as vital to elementary through college campuses, as the curricula.

 

 

Why I do this

 

In 2006 after the tragedy at Platte Canyon High School and the death of one of their students, Columbine staff met with their staff to offer support. I hoped to offer a deeper connection, knowing the difficulties ahead. I met the teacher whose room was the scene of the hostage situation, and ultimately the murder. I met her class for some writing and sharing, similar to what I did with my students after the Columbine shootings. The commonalities of our experiences offered some trust.

 

In 2010 a gunman violated the campus of my son's middle school. My son, Lucas, was just feet from the perpetrator when gunfire erupted. Eventually I was able to find Lucas at a friend’s house. Here I was again, swirling in trauma, but this time as a parent. I couldn't believe it was happening.  That evening, Lucas and I had a very frank conversation about what he saw and what he was feeling. That evening as I watched the TV news, I saw his backpack on the sidewalk. I doubled my efforts. I worked closely with some parents to make sure our kids were handled tenderly and that the trauma wasn't magnified because of decisions made by those unfamiliar with trauma. I knew all too well what that looked like.

 

The Sandy Hook tragedy crushed me. Following that horrific, December day at Sandy Hook School, I was deeply impacted. I knew I wanted to help, but I had no idea how to make that happen. By the grace of others, in February of 2012, Paula,one of my colleagues, and I were sitting face-to-face with a couple dozen Sandy Hook staff members and some of their loved ones. We met over two days, sharing our experiences, and answering all the questions they dared to ask. Today, I am close with many of the Sandy Hook staff members. We have this common bond. In addition to meeting staff members, I had the incredibly humbling experience of meeting some of the parents whose children were killed. I have never witnessed such strength.

 

I have been invited to Newtown several times. Most recently I was there in May 2014 for the community day sponsored by the NSHCF. I was a part of breakout sessions with Frank DeAngelis and Dr. Carolyn Mears. I met the amazing teacher, Frank, from Chardon Ohio; the Amish Nickel Mines families; Virginia Tech victims; and Sandy Hook parents and staff. I have relationships nationwide within the trauma communities. I organized meetings for Arapahoe High School staff after a shooting there in December of 2013. I addressed Arapahoe High School students on September 18th of 2014 school year (I attended Arapahoe High). Recently I was invited by VTV of Virginia Tech. to be their Keynote Speaker. I was with them for the annual VTV Foundation retreat and board meeting.

 

In November of 2014 I was consulted by the Marysville School District in Washington to offer support to their staff after a shooting in one of their high schools. This tragedy deeply impacted not only the high school, but also the middle school. The victims had only been in high school for a few months. On this trip, I met with the staff members of two schools. I was humbled by the opportunity to share and listen. Never had a district reached out so soon after a tragedy. I was impressed by the openness of their leadership teams.

 

 

What I can do for you

 

I have the expertise that comes from 16 years of hands-on experience. I understand the healing process of a school, community, and the individual. It is my hope that I can be of service to other individuals and communities that have experienced trauma. Please contact me. kikileyba@gmail.com