Redefining Safety: Miss Barbara Leads with Heart at St. John’s
When you walk through the halls of St. John’s, chances are you’ve seen Miss Barbara- maybe with a walkie talkie in hand, maybe at a game cheering on students. But beyond the uniform is an incredible woman with over 20 years of experience, a deep love for her family, and a passion for helping students feel safe and seen. Miss Barbara does more than just keep watch over the students of St. John’s - she holds space. As the school’s newly appointed Student Safety Coordinator, she brings an unshakable sense of purpose, and a heart that beats for the students she serves.
Raised in D.C after moving from Florida at the age a four, Miss Barbara has always called the city home. A proud mother of three and a grandmother of eight, she’s a self-described family person. “I love being around my family,” she said. “Sometimes they could be a little crazy, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
Her career in security began as a practical decision and a form of employment, she explained, but quickly became something more. “I actually started to like it. I like being able to help people, and I realize that‘s who I am,” she said. That passion for helping people became her guiding principle, with her famous quote to herself being, “If I can’t help you, I won’t hurt you.” To Miss Barbara, this has never been just a job. It’s a calling, a commitment, and a promise to show up every single day for the students who need her most.
That commitment to service is exactly what makes Miss Barbara such an impactful presence on campus. Whether she’s greeting students at the door, or attending games after hours to show her support, her presence is felt and appreciated. “I want students to feel like if they can’t talk to a counselor or a parent, they can come talk to me,” she said. “We can be the friend, the counselor, the brother, the sister, the aunt, the uncle- whatever you need.”
Her new role as Student Safety Coordinator may come with a title change, but as she said, “It’s not going to change that much. I’m already doing these things.” Only now she’ll be doing it full-time. From helping students follow dress code rules, to checking in on their well-being, Miss Barbara has always prioritized both safety and connection.
In a field that’s long been dominated by men, Miss Barbara is challenging the status quo - not by changing who she is, but by standing firmly in it. She’s redefining what leadership in security looks like, showing that strength doesn’t have to be loud or intimidating. “Being a female in this field, I‘m already behind the eight ball,” she said. “I’m not the tallest person either, so I‘ve had to find other ways to get my point across.” Her power comes from not size or volume, but her ability to connect, communicate, and de-escalate. She said it’s about how you speak to people. Especially with teenagers.
"They’re not children, they’re not adults- they’re in that gray area,” she said. “You have to learn how to speak to them and see life from their perspective.”
Respect goes both ways. It‘s clear from the way students greet her with warm smiles and nicknames like “Auntie” that Miss Barbara isn’t just a rule enforcer, but part of the St. John’s family. “I’ve always loved what I do,” she said. “But have I always loved going to where I needed to do it? Not always. Here? I love coming here."
