The importance of an extended circle of trusted adults in kids' lives has proven benefits, and our Decatur Crossing Guards are no exception. Safety is their priority, but they do so much more than help students cross safely; they provide warmth, reassurance, and attentive care. By starting each day with a smile (and often, hugs and dancing), our City of Decatur students can walk into school excited for the day. Carolyn, Joyce, and Arthur are three of forty-eight crossing guards serving our community. They each epitomize the true definition of dedication, generously giving their time and hearts to the families they serve. Our little city is bustling, and drivers often cruise on autopilot. Ensuring the safety of every child, each morning and afternoon, requires mental and physical vigilance. We are thrilled to highlight three of our city’s greatest.
Joyce Washington has served as a Crossing Guard in the City of Decatur for over twenty years. Her children always tell her she can’t go anywhere because she knows everyone. She not only connects with the students - she knows their parents, siblings, and “even their dogs’ names”, in the words of School Crossing Guard Manager Jennifer Ross. Glenwood Elementary has been her post for the past seventeen years, and watching students begin in kindergarten and grow to graduation provides a sense of professional satisfaction she never expected when she first started this work. Almost daily, a teenager she knew as a young child will wave to her and say “Good morning, Miss Joyce” from their car as they drive to the high school. Once, she was out sick for two weeks, and students tracked down her address and flooded her mailbox with letters of concern. To call her impact widespread is an understatement; it’s truly ever-present. One of her biggest missions is to fully embrace and welcome the brand-new batch of students at the top of every year. Whether they are starting kindergarten or transferring from another school, Washington goes out of her way to make them feel like they belong. It’s a sentiment needed by all humans, and she accomplishes it with genuine warmth and kindness. It’s no wonder that years back, a young kindergarten student was tasked with a presentation on the person she most admires. She chose Miss Joyce, dressed in a crossing guard outfit, and brought in a stop sign to boot. Washington still has the project displayed in her kitchen, a reminder of the power of unconditional kindness and care.
Carolyn Shorter believes she should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of hugs she gives out every day. “I love to smile, I love to hug. I try to hype them up to feel okay,” Shorter tells me when asked to describe herself. She previously worked in transportation, but when the pandemic upended things, she took the advice of a friend and became a Crossing Guard. Shorter fell in love with the kids and the Decatur community, and when her previous job became an option again, she turned it down to stay at her post. Her fiercely protective nature is coated in an overwhelming sweetness, and it's no wonder the kids absolutely adore her. Manager Jennifer Ross describes her as having “the biggest heart as well as the biggest personality of anybody you will meet.” The first time her influence on the kids hit her was shortly after she’d been working as a Crossing Guard for one year. The younger students were having a carol concert and begged her to attend. She promised she would take a break to see their concert, and she walked in, trying to sneak in the back. Immediately after her entrance, the kids spotted her and called out “Miss Carolyn!” as if it were part of the song. That real, genuine love moved her deeply, and she loves getting up every morning for work. Shorter is a floater and field training guard, which means she works all the posts on a rotating basis, allowing her to spread love far and wide. “I love the kids and the smiles,” she tells me with a wide grin. This reciprocal joy sets the stage for every school day.
Arthur Davis is a retired truck and delivery driver whose comfort in traffic and familiarity with Decatur set him up for success. His first crossing guard post was downtown near the DeKalb County Courthouse, where he took on the role of city representative, helping everyone he encountered. An army veteran, he thinks quickly on his feet and easily connects with all people from all walks of life. Ross calls him “the happiest guy with such a positive attitude,” and he emanates a bright light to everyone who meets him. Davis is consistently impressed by the kind and respectful nature of the Decatur students he’s served for the past two and a half years. He is touched by the clear displays of appreciation he receives from the students, families, and his bosses. It’s not every job that fills your heart; he doesn’t take for granted the kind treatment and daily opportunities to learn from the sweet students. He hopes that each child retains their joyful spirit and sense of thankfulness. Kindness and consideration run rampant, and Davis is touched by the moments when parents “make it seem like I’m a superhero.” He describes himself as a people person who listens deeply, which is one of the most impactful things we can do for kids. They have sharp perspectives and compassionate perceptions, which cultivate hope for the future of our city. Decatur is a close-knit community, filled with people of all ages who care deeply. Ross speaks passionately about the great work each Crossing Guard does, intoning, “It’s so much more in-depth than people realize.” By handling the kids with care, checking in with them, and being the person who tells them to have a good day, they provide a literal and figurative safety net ensconced in authentic care.
I love to get up when I’m sad, knowing that when I come here, I’m going to smile when I see them smiling.