A retired state trooper turned school resource officer is being honored for his efforts at Quaker Valley School District.
David Watts is expected to receive a Regional Exceptional Service Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers’s School Safety Conference in Indianapolis, which takes place June 28 through July 3.
Watts, 53, of Pittsburgh was selected for receive the award for Region 3, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.
The award is presented to individuals who go above and beyond in their for continuous and sustained service to the school community, according to the NASRO website.
An awards committee solicits nominations every year. Region 3 is one of 10 multi-state regions.
Watts serves at the middle school and is a member of the school’s safety committee, student wellness team, student assistance program and behavioral threat assessment and management team, among others.
Principal Anthony Mooney nominated him for the award.
“Officer Watts is pure joy,” Mooney said. “He is respected by all and is recognized for his expertise and unparalleled ability to connect with students of all ages and backgrounds. Quaker Valley Middle School is genuinely a better place because Officer Watts is a part of it.
“The students, faculty, staff, and administration are better for having had the opportunity to work with and learn from him. He is, without question, a truly outstanding example of leadership, kindness, respect and duty.”
In the nomination letter, Mooney wrote about how students are greeted by name with a huge smile and elbow bump from Officer Watts.
The principal also noted Watts can be found in classrooms teaching about online safety, bullying, social media, the dangers of drug and alcohol and various other topics.
Watts was a trooper for 21 years and reached the rank of corporal. He has served the district the past four years.
“When I retired from the (Pennsylvania) State Police in 2015, I missed serving the various communities that I have protected across the state of Pennsylvania,” Watts said. “Becoming a school police officer allowed me to continue to serve the community. It also allows me be a positive role model for our students.
“Being a school police officer at Quaker Valley is more than just keeping the students, the staff and the property safe and secure. It is becoming a part of the community. I protect the students as if they were my own children. I am there in their time of need. I make them laugh at the start of their day. I celebrate their accomplishments. I am a friendly and wise ear when they need someone to talk about their problems. I am their shoulder to cry if needed. I am there for the students’ families.”
Watts has received hundreds of hours of specialized training and professional development through the NASRO Basic School Resource Officer Course and its annual conferences.
He said he was grateful for the recognition, as well as the support from the Chief if School Police Aaron Vanatta, district administration, faculty and staff.
“I am the school police officer that I am as a result of the training and the support that I have received from NASRO,” Watts said. “To be acknowledged by the organization reinforces that I am serving my district and community as they intended, I humbly accept this award.”
Watts is no stranger to recognition. He was named “Trooper of the Year” in June 2014 for saving a kidnapped 8-month-old girl in December 2013.
