By second period on a Tuesday, Derrick Johnson has already logged 2,500 steps. As a security officer at Lawrence High, it’s his job to be on the move.
“We average probably ten thousand steps per day,” Johnson said. “You guys probably see us walking the halls.”
After seven years spent in the halls and at school sporting events, Johnson is a well-known presence at Lawrence High. He began his career as a para at Free State before moving on to serve as a security officer at LHS.
“When I was a para at Free State, I was doing security for dances, football games and basketball games,” Johnson explained.
That’s when he realized it might be the job for him.
“I was like ‘man, I might want to do this full time,’” he said.
Johnson graduated from Lawrence High in 2002. He attended Kansas City Community College before returning to Lawrence. His job at LHS, he said, was like being welcomed into a hospitable home.
“That’s how Lawrence High is,” he explained. “[There’s] a lot of genuine people that actually care about kids and want to see kids do well.”
Those who know him describe Johnson as one of those people.
“He’ll really sit down and listen to you and hear what you have to say,” Senior Alexander Oldman said. “He’s just respectful, and he’s there for you.”
For Johnson, building relationships with students is vital. He lives by one quote: “Be the person you needed when you were younger.”
“You know, I didn’t have a great relationship with my dad, so I had a lot of other uncles, cousins, and family-friends step in,” Johnson said. “I realized I could be a mentor to other kids, just like those guys were to me.”
While part of Johnson’s job includes monitoring the bathrooms, patrolling the hallways, and escorting kids to class, his central responsibility is supporting students’ needs.
“You never know what a kid is going through,” Johnson said. “Sometimes kids just need a hug.”
He emphasized the importance of being supportive.
“I’ve had kids where I’ve never met the kid and you can see something’s wrong,” he explained. “Just be there for them, a shoulder to lean on or to cry on.”
This part of the job is most important to him.
“It’s real good,” Johnson said. “It makes you feel good that you can help somebody you know be successful.”
As a mentor, giving advice often means redefining success for students.
“I teach kids, they think successful means millionaire, billionaire,” Johnson said. “Nah man, you got a good job, taking care of your responsibilities, taking care of your family. Man, that’s success for me.”
After over 13 years working in the district, Johnson’s impact is lasting. Some of his students are now married and starting their own families.
“I have kids that will bring their daughter or son back,” Johnson said. “[They’ll] tell me how much I helped, and that’s all I need to hear. I’m just trying to help.”
Johnson has a unique position at LHS: he often sees students in their most difficult moments, but gets to watch student growth over all four years.
“One of the best memories I have is when we see a freshman kid mature to their senior year and graduate,” he said.
Johnson explained that those graduation ceremonies are particularly emotional.
“Seeing kids do their whole four years and get that diploma, walking across the stage…I’ll get teary eyed when they graduate,” Johnson said.
He may not be a teacher, but for many students, Johnson is a trusted mentor.
“If you got something going on and he’s around, he’ll help you,” sophomore Za’Myah Anderson said. “He’ll try and be there for you more than other teachers can.”
