Today, as we observe School Security Officer Appreciation Day, we pay homage to the brave men and women who stand as the first line of defense in our schools.
Among them are four remarkable individuals from different corners of our district, each with their own unique journey, challenges, and heartfelt dedication to the safety and well-being of our students.
Officer Jay Gibson, Amherst Elementary School
After working in security for years, Jay Gibson made the switch to school security to be on the same schedule as his son when he began school.
A 13-year career allowed him to experience settings from Ridgedale School to Hardin Valley Middle – where his now-senior son attended at the time – to his current posting at Amherst Elementary.
“At Ridgedale, most of the kids’ paths were kind of chosen for them through their environments outside of school,” Gibson said. “I knew that if I could influence one percent of those kids, it would make all the difference.”
He remembers a special moment when he was directing traffic at HVMS during after-school pick-up when he heard a voice call, “Officer Jay! Officer Jay!” A student from Ridgedale recognized him and was excited to share his success in class and extracurriculars.
“He’d gotten farther than I thought he would, and even though his progress wasn’t directly because of me, it was a sense of team accomplishment, and he wanted to tell me about it,” he said.
Gibson hopes more people show interest in the field and see the positive impact school security officers have on their community.
Officer Kimberly Mays, Gresham Middle School
Similarly to Officer Gibson, Kimberly Mays pursued other passions before joining the KCS School Security Division 10 years ago.
After experiencing a high school and elementary school setting, Mays knew she found the place where she could do the most good for her community at Gresham Middle School.
Mays speaks passionately about the unique qualities and unending kindness of the students at Gresham, and Principal Melissa Glover described her as whole-heartedly unselfish and loving to all people in the building.
“She is so involved, and the kids love her,” Glover said. “When kids are upset, she is the go-to person for a lot of them. I’ve never seen someone who is so involved in their school.”
Her dedication to the safety and well-being of students earned her an Officer of the Year recognition, and she even earned the Life Saver Award when she sprung into action to offer life-saving aid to a staff member last year.
She notes there are stressful moments that come with the job.
Mays said that in the last few years, more of her attention has been devoted to hostile parents.
“It is important for people to know how the escalation of parents has changed the scope of our jobs,” she said. “I want that to be the smallest part of my job and for the majority to be championing kids and promoting positivity and encouragement.”
But, she says every day is a fresh start, and remains positive and focused on her goal of creating great experiences for all students.
Officer Lee “Izzy” McDermott, West View Elementary School
At 18 years old, Lee “Izzy” McDermott knew he wanted to work in law enforcement. After security jobs at a few different companies, a friend recommended checking out an SSO position.
Now in his second year with Knox County Schools, he’s serving in the school he once attended as a young boy.
“I know a lot of the parents here because I attended school with them,” McDermott said. “The principal, Amy Brace, was my gym teacher when I was at Sarah Moore Greene, and there are a few teachers that were here when I was in school.”
He says returning to his childhood school gives his job a bigger meaning.
“It’s a very surreal feeling,” he said. “I’ve lived in this community my whole life, and this fills me with a deeper sense of purpose serving in this school.”
His experience building relationships with the students at West View has been a highlight of his career. He plays basketball with them during recess and sets the example for good sportsmanship. He encourages them throughout the day and celebrates their successes with them.
McDermott said when his students win in the classroom, “it’s almost like a proud dad moment.”
Officer Lisa Smith, Karns Elementary School
Lisa Smith, like so many others, came to this position from years of working in security. Now in her eighth year at Karns Elementary, she said no two days are ever the same.
“You never know what to expect when you come in each morning,” she said. “I could have a slow day or be busy for eight hours. It’s an awesome experience as a school security officer, and it’s a big responsibility.”
Principal Jamey Romig knows Smith handles all situations at Karns with the utmost care and devotion.
“On the rare occasion that something does happen at school or in the community, she takes charge of our security,” Romig said. “When a tough decision needs to be made, I trust her 100% to take care of our school.”
Smith said being in uniform and gaining the trust of students has impacted a number of individuals.
“I’ve had families say to me, ‘My child was afraid of officers before she came here, and she’s not afraid anymore.’” She continued, “It makes you feel good because you’ve positively influenced a child’s perception of people like you who care for their safety.”
As we reflect on the dedication and sacrifice of our school security officers, let us take a moment to express our gratitude for their unwavering commitment to keeping our schools safe and nurturing environments for learning and growth. Their selfless service is a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and community spirit.