Addie Hosier interviews Outreach Trainer Nick Sanchez |

Nick Sanchez, one of our Outreach Trainers in the Sacramento area, helped create a program for the School Safety Ambassador Program.  He saw an opportunity to make his neighborhood school safer and to get kids excited about safety.  He invited his local OTI to be involved and support the program.

Nine kids were selected for this program, and all eagerly attended and earned their own vests and were given safety assignments at their school.

“I believe kids should feel safe at school.  That is what I help with.”
– Rainie, Grade 4 Safety Ambassador

The goal of a School Safety Ambassador Program is to involve students in helping to create a safe school environment by identifying safety hazards and helping others in need.  Having a Safety Ambassador Program at an elementary school is a great way to promote a school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) expectations such as: “Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Kind.”  In addition, this program provides students with an early leadership role experience as well as exposes them to potential career paths in the safety industry.

School Safety Ambassadors are school-sponsored student volunteers from upper elementary grades.  Safety Ambassadors direct children, not traffic.  As school-age leaders in safety, Ambassadors teach other students about safety on a peer-to-peer basis. They also serve as role models for younger children.  Typically, teachers and principals appoint the Safety Ambassadors, and a school staff member serves as their advisor.

School Safety Ambassadors:

  • Complete safety training
  • Protect students from hazards
  • Teach fellow students about safety
  • Serve other leadership roles under the direction of school officials

Benefits to Students:

  • Safety awareness
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Pride
  • Citizenship

Nick Sanchez is making a difference in his community by promoting safety to children in a very real and practical way.  He is exporting this to other schools so even more kids will benefit from learning about safety at a young age.