Save your Excuses: The Hall Monitors Have Heard Them All

Monitoring+Progress%3A+The+school%E2%80%99s+dedicated+hall+monitors+are+committed+to+ensuring+that+students+are+in+class.+Shown+are+%28front%29+Jermaine+Stephans%2C+Ture+Mackall+and+William+Leonard.+Back+row+are+Carolyn+Robinson%2C+ISS+coordinator%2C+and+Lee+Hill.+The+hall+monitors+and+Robinson+recently+won+the+school%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%9CIt+Takes+a+Village+Award%E2%80%9D+in+recognition+of+their+hard+work.+Photo+Credit%3A+Michael+Dobson

Monitoring Progress: The school’s dedicated hall monitors are committed to ensuring that students are in class. Shown are (front) Jermaine Stephans, Ture Mackall and William Leonard. Back row are Carolyn Robinson, ISS coordinator, and Lee Hill. The hall monitors and Robinson recently won the school’s “It Takes a Village Award” in recognition of their hard work. Photo Credit: Michael Dobson

The hall monitors of North Atlanta have observed the students for quite some time. That’s to say: they are familiar with every excuse explaining why students are tardy or in the hallways during class and can point out the designated skipping spots where most students believe they are safe to hang out.

The crowded halls of North Atlanta during the transition between classes consists of students rushing to the vending machines to grab a snack before class, chatting with friends, or being chased down the hallway by the hall monitors after the bell rings, which William Leonard, the 10th floor hall monitor, finds to be quite a nuisance. “I don’t like kids running from me, just to find out they didn’t have a hall pass,” Leonard said. “If they talked to me it would go a whole lot smoother because I’m very reasonable. I don’t like that I have to chase students. Just be respectful and talk to me and we can figure it out.”

Here at North Atlanta, there is one hall monitor for every two floors. Leonard’s colleagues are Lee Hill, who monitors floors four and five; Ture Mackall, who monitors floors six and seven; Jermaine Stephans, who monitors eight and nine; and lastly, Leonard who patrols both floors 10 and 11.  

Although the hall monitors have memorized most of the excuses students use for being late, every now and then the students get a little more creative. “One student said he wanted me to walk with him to class so he could get in class,” Hill said. “When the teacher asked where he had been, he said that me and him were ‘talking business.’”

In addition to the endless amount of excuses the hall monitors hear from students about being late, they also hear excuses when students are caught skipping class. “They say: ‘I’m going to the restroom,’ or ‘I’m going to see my counselor,’ or ‘I just got here.’ These are the most common ones I hear from students lingering in the hallways,” Mackall said.

Despite the endless amount of excuses and even backtalk from grouchy teenagers, Hill said he enjoys his job. Before working at North Atlanta, he coached basketball at the Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and he also coached the same sport at Statesboro High School. “You know life is a cool journey and now my journey has brought me here and I’m really excited about that,” Hill said. “Every day is interesting, I know what I’m doing is helping kids, and I’m thankful to be here.” 

The dedicated group of four even recently were given an award to commend them for their diligence. During the most recent staff meeting the diligent quartet received the staff-based “It Takes a Village Award.” “You know, we all work very hard to keep these halls clear and to keep kids in classes where they will learn and grow, so it was very gratifying to be recognized for the nod.”

The hall monitors of North Atlanta have made it clear that they are committed to their jobs and ensuring that students are in class when they are supposed to be. Even though their jobs may seem annoying to students, the hall monitors would appreciate a “hello” or even a smile. But whatever you do, don’t run from the hall monitors!