09/01/2026
Last week, due to some officer shortages, I had the opportunity to fill in at Marion Elementary as their School Resource Officer for several days. This was more than just popping in to check on the officer normally assigned to the school. I was able to spend several full days there, from drop-off to pick-up.
Let me start by saying how impressed I was with the students, teachers, and entire staff at Marion Elementary. I don’t think the community, and even many parents, fully appreciate just how hard our schools work each and every day—especially our teachers. They have packed schedules that start very early and often end late.
One thing I observed each day was the teachers bringing their classes into the cafeteria for lunch. The students have roughly 25 minutes to eat. Plenty of time for elementary students to eat, I think most would agree. What impressed me most, however, was that the teachers have those same 25 minutes.
The first part of that time is spent making sure every child gets through the lunch line successfully, then making sure each student has everything they need once they sit down. After everyone is settled, the teachers can finally sit down themselves and eat whatever time they have left before heading back to class.
By the way, a big thank-you to all of the cafeteria staff for what you do each day as well! And yes…the first day was the old-school square pizza!!!
As the days went along, I watched the teachers interact with their students in the hallways and classrooms. The amount of patience, compassion, and care they have for their students truly shows. I have always known this, but spending several days in the school environment further proved to me that being an educator is a calling—it is so much more than just a job.
I also had some amazing conversations with a lot of the students throughout the week. Kids say the funniest things sometimes, and honestly, it did me good to spend a few days with them.
Whether it was hearing about their summer trips, talking about their favorite Marvel characters, or listening to the food negotiations taking place at the lunch table—you know, the kind of serious discussions where someone offers to trade a Zebra Cake for a Capri Sun—I enjoyed every minute of it.
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of our teachers and educators everywhere, but especially to the amazing group at Marion Elementary for allowing me to spend some time with you last week.
And a special thank-you to the Principal, Mrs. Wilkerson for leading such a great group of people. It was truly an honor to spend a few days at Marion Elementary, and I left with an even greater appreciation for the people who show up every day to teach, care for, encourage, and protect our children.
Thank you for all that you do!
Chief Allen Lawrence
