Having to wake up early and step foot into school five days a week becomes monotonous for all students. However, Officer Don Hull stands by the front desk each morning as a friendly greeting, giving a little motivation for all students to begin their day on a happier note.
Recently, Officer Don has shifted from being a police officer for 37 years to becoming Director of Safety and Security within East Lyme Public Schools.
Although still boosting the school morale each morning, Officer Don’s responsibilities have changed alongside his job position. “Here, now being an employee of the school district, I have a lot more access to the personnel and the people,” Officer Don said.
Within ELPS, each employee cares deeply for the students.
“They look at all the kids like they are their own. They really do a great job, so I love being a part of that,” Officer Don said.
Along with a new perspective of building relationships with the students, Officer Don still has to keep up with his paperwork and more duties. Within ELHS, vandalism in the bathrooms has been an ongoing issue, causing Officer Don and other faculty to brainstorm ways to prevent these problems. This misuse of the bathrooms, interfering with the student body’s school day, is being handled by faculty, including implementing other plans in the future.
“It’s a life lesson for everybody in this building that just a few people can ruin it for everybody,” Officer Don said.
Luckily, Officer Don does not have to deal with only problematic duties throughout his day. The most rewarding part is the students.
“Watching kids growing up and to see them become young adults when it feels like I just saw them in fifth grade is no doubt most enjoyable,” Officer Don said.
