In our latest feature film, The Mind Inside, Episode 3, we focused on the powerful role of School Resource Officers. Along the way, we connected with the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and we were delighted to learn how much this film spoke to the work of the organization across the country.

This past summer, Brandy Buscher and Officer Johnson, our experts featured in the film, presented in Orlando at the national NASRO conference. We were so pleased to share the full film with NASRO and its partners in the hopes that its message can be a valuable tool for SRO training programs and ultimately impact the students served.

Watch the discussion recap (starting at 51:11) of our film screening of the third episode, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on School Resource Officers, mental health, and the responsibilities of our schools and communities.

Officer Jeremiah Johnson, School Resource Officer at North Platte. Officer Johnson understands the importance of providing a safe, caring, and supportive learning environment in every school. More than a traditional school resource officer, Officer Johnson serves as the counterpart to Brandy Buscher, and together they aim to remedy problems, establish support for families and foster a positive climate in the schools, district, and community.

Brandy Buscher, Director of Student Services at North Platte. She is not afraid to fight the good fight for a student who is in a bad place. From her work with the juvenile courts, Health and Humans Services, probation, and various other agencies that serve youth in the community, Buscher’s experience is vast and provides a deep level of understanding for the school and for the families served. Brandy has implemented the NPHS Food Pantry, Nebraska Systems of Care Mental Health Grant, McKinney Vento Homeless Youth Grant, Dare to Go Five Below Attendance Program, and PASS (Alternative to Suspensions Program).

Sally Nellson, Director. Sally has interviewed nearly a thousand people from students to educators to Charles Best, the founder of DonorsChoose, to the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch. She’s created more than 100 films and her work has been featured by USAToday, EdWeek, and a PBS-Affiliate. Her award-winning work has been screened on Capitol Hill by the CDC, presented by the American Association of School Superintendents, and recognized by the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice. The Mind Inside film itself has received five official selections from film festivals across the country. Her reason for being is to bring light to stories of success and challenge; to create awareness, empathy, and, ultimately positive change. 

Andy Marinkovich, Director of Photography. For nearly 20 years, Andy has been behind the camera working to capture stills and video on commercial assignments for ESPN Magazine, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, and even the United Nations. His award-winning skills have taken him on global adventures where he’s been pivotal to projects such as The Kilimanjaro Project, Tanzanite One Mining, and Football for the World. In his current role, his documentary work has most recently earned a 2021 commendation from the American Association of School Librarians for his advocacy on behalf of school librarians. 

Mo Canady, Executive Director for the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). For the past 10 years, Mo has provided training and membership services to school-based police officers and school administrators across the country. After a 25 year career, he retired from the Hoover Police Department, where he was appointed as an instructor, a board member, and eventually the executive director for NASRO. He is a past President of the Alabama Association of School Resource Officers.

About The Mind Inside Series

Created by Nebraska Loves Public Schools, The Mind Inside is a three-episode docuseries exploring one of the most pressing and complicated issues in public education today: mental health and social media. Informative and heartbreaking, this episode provides a framework for discussion around empowering a safe, productive, and positive environment for students and what it takes from schools to help them get there. 

Executive Director and film director, Sally Nellson: ​“We created The Mind Inside series to explore what students are struggling with today, what social, emotional, and behavioral resources are available, and what schools and their communities are developing as short- and long- term solutions. The topic is complicated and deeply personal and throughout production, I found myself being so much more understanding and empathetic the more I listened to these stories. I hope this film series does the same for you, too.”