CHS Security Officer Jamie LaClaire recently earned “Teacher Assistant of the Year,” an award voted on by fellow faculty and staff members. LaClaire has been working in schools and on the street to protect and serve his community, as well as provide safety practices and procedures for students over the past 17 years. 

Q: What is the award that you earned? What does it mean to you?

A: “The award that I earned is Teacher Assistant of the Year. It is very humbling to receive this award. It’s hard to say because I’m not good at accepting praise.”

Q: What is your title, since you are the only security guard, besides the school SRO, handling a gun?

A: “I am titled as School Security Officer 2.”

Q: How long have you been a security guard at CHS?

A: “This is my third year here as a security officer, however, I was the school’s resource officer for 14 years before.”

Q: What kind of training or background do you have for this position?

A: “I was a police officer for 32 years and school resource officer for 14 of those. I had to go through extensive firearms training with the police department and school department.” 

Q: What does a typical day look like for you here at school?

A: “I start off at the busses, then patrol the halls, upstairs and downstairs. I am then in the cafeteria to watch over the students at lunch, and afterwards I patrol buses again to end the work day.”

Q: What is your favorite part of your work day?

A: “My favorite part of the day is interacting with the students.”

Q: How do you handle emergencies or serious situations, such as a fight between students? 

A: “Generally, when I handle fights between students, I have to get in between the two students, break them up, and escort them to the office.”

Q: What do you feel is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: “The most rewarding part of my day is watching the students progress and mature, then eventually graduate.”