Brianna Lennon has been a Campus Safety Officer with DPS for nearly three years, having been stationed at Farrell B Howell ECE-8 School, Montbello High School and now Bruce Randolph School.
“A lot of these kids are going through some stuff, life-changing things,” Brianna said. “In my role, I kind of feel like a big sister.”
As a “big sister,” Brianna wants to see students safe, that they’re navigating the trials and tribulations of life with positive choices. Through her daily interactions with students, she uses the opportunity to teach them right from wrong and how poor choices have consequences.
Her ability to speak to many of the real life challenges students are experiencing comes from a personal background that mirrors what they face every day.
“I got good grades, but I was never at school,” Brianna explained. “I was always missing and nobody ever came looking for me. Nobody noticed me. Nobody noticed when I wasn’t there. I wish one person would have said, ‘No, we’re calling your mom. You're in trouble.’ That I had to go wherever I had to go to make sure my life was on track.”
With better attendance and help with scholarships, Brianna is confident she would have gotten further in college. She is glad to see Bruce Randolph students taking advantage of the extracurricular programs and academic support that the school offers.
“ I’m passionate about seeing the success of the students,” Brianna said. “I’m passionate about seeing them get where I couldn’t go.”
Brianna’s involvement with kids doesn’t stop after the school bell rings.
“My life is full of kids,” Brianna laughed.
She is active in her church as a children and youth leader, teacher and dance coach. She has also helped with various foster organizations, focusing on keeping siblings together and getting children the necessities they need. Every Easter, Brianna holds an Easter egg hunt at a local park for the children, bringing toys and plastic eggs filled with candy.
“I try to give back to the kids any way I can because I feel the kids are the most important thing and are often misunderstood,” Brianna said.
Part of Brianna’s strength as a role model for students lies in her ability to make personal connections.
“These kids want you to get personal with them and if you’re not willing to get personal, then you’re not going to stick,” Brianna said. “We’re all afraid of opening up because we want to be this perfect adult for the kids, and they read that real clear, knowing how phony it is. They'd rather hear how you spilled your coffee on the way to work, or how something over the weekend went totally wrong.”
Brianna connects with students by joining in on the fun by talking with students in the hallways and even dancing with them.
“I know safety is our number one priority,” Brianna said. “But we have to remember to have fun.”
Brianna is passionate about being a positive role model for the students at Bruce Randolph School.
“I’m passionate about being someone in their corner, someone they have to look up to,” Brianna explained. “The only way you can do that is to be personalized about it.”
Through a mix of passion and personalization, Brianna shows us how fun and personal connection can create welcoming learning environments for learners.