Tim Lester is the school resource officer for Jackson Middle School. He jokes around with students in between classes. Fifth graders Lila Bohnert (left), Amelia Beswick (right), Katelynne Nanny and Eve Nothdurft are pictured.
Danny Walter
Tim Lester, a teacher at Jackson Middle School in Jackson, is the expert on 3D printing. Tim Lester also helps with the robotics club at the school, teaches the students how to change oil in vehicles and jumps into the fray to fix flats for parents who are dropping their kids off or picking them up.
Lester’s not a science instructor, a custodian, or a mechanic in the motorpool. He is the school resource officer, responsible for the safety and security of the school.
Lester didn’t ask for these tasks. None of them are part of an SRO job description. He simply saw a need, and filled it.
Lester has been an SRO for Jackson Middle School since 2007. He previously worked as a police officer in Jackson Police Department for two years. He decided to apply for a SRO position as he was looking for a more stable schedule.
Lester explained that his wife and he were expecting twins. “It was like ‘Oh goodness, how can I do this’.”
Tim Lester, a school resource officer from Jackson Middle School in Jackson, Tennessee, shows off a flexible dino and lizard, which he made using the 3D printers of the school. Some of Lester’s creations were used to raise money for the Robotics Club at Jackson Middle School so they could attend a competition in the United States.
Danny Walter
Lester was not just attracted to the schedule of an SRO. Lester says that as a patrolman, he would stop to talk with children whenever he could.
Lester said: “I was a guy who would join a basketball game if he saw kids playing outside and he didn’t know what to do. It was just to make friends.”
In the same week that Lester started his Law Enforcement Academy at Southeast Missouri State University a policeman shot and killed Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri. Lester says he felt an “atmosphere” of bad law enforcement, and now as an SRO he is using every opportunity to change this perception.
Lester, as a young boy, said that his mother had been abused by his father. He also “basically” told him to dislike police officers. Lester says that after his mother remarried his stepfather (an emergency room doctor) taught him how to respect police officers.
Our Daily Headlines
Received directly to your email inbox
Lester said, “We had someone break in to our house when I went to middle school.” “That policeman came over and cleared out the house.” Since then, I have always respected the police.
Lester says he was called “Big Tim” in high school because he would always step up to protect other students who were being bullied. Lester joined the Army National Guard as an infantryman after high school.
“After I got back out, I asked, ‘OK. What can I do now? I can shoot and survive in the woods. It’s what I was taught to do. Lester said, “So, being a police officer seemed like the natural thing to do.”
Lester’s stepfather loaned the money to him so that he could attend Law Enforcement Academy. He also said he earned a Bachelor of Criminal Justice through SEMO. After which, he was hired by the Jackson Police Department.
Lester explained that he used the 3D printing machines at his school to start conversations with students who felt frustrated or upset about something. He creates what he refers to as “flexible” dinosaurs, lizards and other creatures.
Lester stated that she designed one dinosaur for each month in the school year. “The Valentine’s Day dinosaur holds a heart. The Christmas one is wearing a Santa cap. And for graduation, I print graduation caps.”
His latest 3D creation, a flexible skeletal Lizard that is sold by the school, is his latest 3D work. Lester said that a portion of the money raised goes to Future Business Leaders of America, the club which sells these lizards. The Robotics Club, his other passion is supported by the rest.
He was hooked after he saw students at the library, one afternoon after school. Lester has been an adviser for the club, and has assisted with fundraising. He also travels with the students when they go to competitions.
Lester explained that “last year, we took teams from middle school and junior-high to the regionals in St. Louis.” “We took first place at the regionals and then went to states where we came in second.”
Lester said this was enough to qualify the group for the Boston national competition. Lester said that they sold lamps and nightlights made by the 3D printers to raise money for the trip. The team took first place in Robot Design.
Lester believes that being an SRO was the right choice for him because he loves helping others. It’s also fun watching students grow up, and seeing who they become. He said he wanted his colleagues to have what he’s got.
Lester said, “Every policeman wants to be an SRO.” It’s the best job, and I am not kidding. I don’t have a clue when another opening will come up. It’s not my decision. “I’m not going anywhere soon.