On Monday, March 21, 2005, Missy’s life was forever changed. A former student shot his way into her classroom at Red Lake High School where he killed a co-worker and five of her students before taking his own life. Over the past 16 years, Missy has worked hard on her own healing journey as well as supporting her former students on their own journeys. This has led her to become a school safety and a mental health advocate. Her court case, Dodds vs Red Lake School District Workman’s Comp, helped to change the law in Minnesota to include PTSD as a viable workman’s comp claim. Missy shared her story of recovery in the award-winning documentary, Red Lake, produced by Billy Luther.

Currently, Missy serves as a National Parent Ambassador for Safe and Sound Schools, on the board of directors for The Violence Project, and as a parent stakeholder on her local school district’s Emergency Operation Planning Committee.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Missy currently lives in Northwest Minnesota with her husband and three elementary age children.
Missy holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Bemidji State University.