Pasco Man Named Florida's Crossing Guard Of Year

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – Out of the more than 6,000 school crossing guards in Florida, it was the crossing guard who ushers Double Branch Elementary Students safely to school every day who was named Florida’s 2017 School Crossing Guard of the Year.

The Florida Department of Transportation named Don Niles the state’s top crossing guard Friday, Feb. 2, declared Crossing Guard Appreciation Day by Gov. Rick Scott.

Niles, known as “Mr. Don” to students and staff at the Wesley Chapel school, does much more than guide children across the intersection of Chancey Road and Meadow Point Boulevard, said Ken Mizerek, crossing guard supervisor.

“In his former life, he was a probation officer and he’s seen problem areas that made him think, ‘Maybe I could have straightened that out if it’d been done as a child,” said Mizerek.

In his new career as a school crossing guard, therefore, he’s committed to helping put children on the right path, said Mizerek.

“He’s putting his time and effort into trying to make children aware of these things early,” Mizerek said. “He shows a lot of interest in the children.”

Mizerek said Niles not only knows most of the students by name, he knows their career goals. He often discusses their school work with them and asks how they did on certain tests that had them worried, he said.

“He’s always there to offer the children a word of encouragement,” said Double Branch Principal Vaughnette Chandler. “He’s the guy that, if the child looks like they need someone to talk to, he’s going to take the extra minute to go over and see what’s going on.”

While Niles was spotlighted for his dedication to the students of Double Branch, Florida DOT Secretary Mike Dew said all of the state’s crossing guards should be recognized for going above the call of duty.

"Florida's school children are safer because of the work our crossing guards do each day,” he said. “Today we honor their service in protecting Florida's most valuable resource as they bike and walk to school."

Images via Pasco County Sheriff's Office