One Step at a Time: Surviving a School Shooting, Rebuilding My Life, and Rediscovering What Matters Most

One Step at a Time is the powerful memoir of Dr. Kaleb Stoppel, a Kansas educator whose life changed in an instant on March 4, 2022, when he was shot while protecting others during the school shooting at Olathe East High School.

In the aftermath of the shooting, survival became only the beginning of a much longer journey. As Kaleb faced physical recovery and the emotional weight of trauma, he began confronting deeper questions about identity, leadership, purpose, and healing.

Through honest reflection, One Step at a Time explores what it truly means to rebuild life after a moment that changes everything. Kaleb shares the quiet realities of sleepless nights, lingering uncertainty, and the slow process of rediscovering hope while navigating anxiety, depression, and the loss of the life he once knew.

Rather than focusing solely on the tragedy itself, the book centers on the human experience that follows trauma. It is a story of resilience, faith, family, and the courage required to keep moving forward even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

Dr. Kaleb Stoppel previously served as a high school assistant principal and athletic director and has spent his career working with students, educators, and communities. Today he continues to advocate for mental health awareness, resilience, and honest conversations about healing.

One Step at a Time is both a deeply personal story and a reminder that healing rarely happens all at once. It unfolds slowly, imperfectly, and often in ways we never expect.

And sometimes, the only way forward is one step at a time.