For Tinora School Resource Officer Gregg Harter, teaching D.A.R.E. to fifth graders brings back some familiar memories. Harter remembers participating in the program when he was in fifth grade, never imagining that one day he'd be the officer standing in front of the classroom. Even more fitting? His own D.A.R.E. officer, Jim Hall, is now his boss.
Harter joined Tinora as the district's School Resource Officer last year and is now bringing the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to all Tinora fifth graders. Each Friday, he visits classrooms to help students develop the skills and confidence to make safe, responsible decisions.
Throughout the program, students explore topics such as peer pressure, recognizing risks, understanding consequences, and the health effects of drugs and alcohol. But Harter also sees the program as an opportunity to build positive relationships with students.
"Some of these kids' only interaction with law enforcement might have been when an officer was there because someone got in trouble," Harter explained. "It's about having that positive interaction with kids and showing them we're not just out there to arrest somebody. We're also here to hopefully make a change so they can have a good future."
That opportunity to connect with students is especially meaningful to Harter, who still remembers his own experience with D.A.R.E.
"I remember D.A.R.E. growing up when I was in fifth grade. I really liked it. It was a good program," he shared.
His former D.A.R.E. officer, Jim Hall, has since become his boss, making the experience of teaching the program himself a full-circle moment.
"My boss was my D.A.R.E. officer, so it's kind of ironic," Harter said. "Hopefully I can fill his shoes and help as many kids out as possible."
To become a certified D.A.R.E. instructor, Harter completed a two-week training program that prepared him to lead students through conversations about decision-making, responsibility, and navigating challenging situations.
While the program encourages students to make positive choices, Harter also wants them to understand that making a mistake doesn't have to define who they are.
"Just because you make a mistake doesn't mean that's who you are," he explained. "You can make mistakes, learn from them, and move on."
As Harter continues visiting fifth-grade classrooms each Friday, he hopes the lessons students learn will stay with them long after they leave elementary school. Whether it's having the confidence to stand up to peer pressure, making a responsible decision, or simply knowing they have a trusted adult they can turn to, his goal is to help students build a positive future.
And who knows? Maybe one of today's Tinora fifth graders will someday find themselves standing in front of a classroom, just like Harter, carrying on the same lessons that made an impression on him years ago.
