Pretzels with Justin: Interview with Security Guard Officer Dyall

By Justin McCarthy-Hill on Feb 27

This month’s Pretzels with Justin interview is with Security Officer Dyall. I decided to ask her some questions about what a security job in a school is like. Enjoy!

What is one thing you do every day in your job that people don’t know about?

Well, I scan on the computer downstairs at the desk and make sure everything is going okay on the floors, and if not then I bring it to the attention of who I need to.

How did you first find out about this job and how long have you worked at 276?

Actually a friend of mine told me about it, that was years ago. I’ve been on the job for 27 years and I’ve worked here since a year after it opened.

Have you held security jobs in other schools and how is this different from those?

Well, the other schools were all high schools, so it’s a big difference between this and high schools. It was a bit tougher, but you learn. You learn a lot.

How long does it take you to get to 276 in the mornings and what time do you wake up?

I wake up at 5:20. It takes me about 40 minutes.

Do you think schools should have armed security guards?

No.

Do you ever feel disrespected by parents or students? If so, how do you address it?

At times, but I try to let them know that they have, and I do it in a most delicate manner.

Do you feel like the school and administration supports you when that happens?

Yes, they do.

What is one thing we as students could do that would make your day better?

Just do what they’re supposed to be doing. Learn, help each other out if they can, and just be good people, which I know they have it in them to do.

Alright, thank you! Have a pretzel.