Tuesday, February 17, 2026
For students heading to and from school, the crosswalk is more than just a place to cross the street—it’s where Dedeanna “Dede” Jones turns an ordinary school day into something special. Whether she’s throwing a Halloween “corner party” or singing “Happy Birthday” for all to hear, Jones brings joy, celebration, and care to her role as a crossing guard. She is one of the many adult school crossing guards celebrated this week during Wisconsin’s Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week.
Jones is in her second year working as a crossing guard for the City of Madison, after previously working almost two years in Sun Prairie. Each morning, she begins her day near Marquette Elementary School on Madison’s east side before traveling to the north side near Gompers Elementary School, returning to both locations again in the afternoon.
Before becoming a crossing guard, Jones earned a degree in criminal justice and worked for years at the Department of Justice. But she says no job has ever brought her the fulfillment she feels now.
“I have never been happier than I am now being a crossing guard,” said Jones. “I love kids and it fits well with my life.”
Between her two crossings, Jones estimates she sees close to 100 students each day—students she has come to see as family.
“I call them ‘my kids’ because that’s what they are,” Jones said. “And they’ve adopted my [2-year-old] daughter as their little sister. I’ve watched them grow from elementary to middle school. Many of my middle schoolers still come to see me and wait for me to cross them.”
Jones makes it a point to treat each child like one of her own. At the start of the school year, she gives students small support animals they can keep in their pocket or backpack, along with affirmations. Throughout the year, she celebrates special moments—both big and small.
“Holidays are big with me and my kids,” said Jones. “They know Ms. Dede is going to go overboard. For example, every Halloween, when they come out to school, they get a Trick or Treat corner party on my corner—with candy, safety toys, and things with affirmations in them.”
Birthdays—nearly 100 of them—also don’t go unnoticed.
“The kids make sure I know their birthdays, because I sing to them,” Jones said. “I announce it to the whole world, and the way they light up is awesome.”
While Jones brings joy and warmth to the job, she is quick to point out that the work is far from playful when it comes to safety.
“A lot of people might look at crossing guard jobs like it’s nothing, but it can be very dangerous at times and safety is my highest priority,” Jones said. “We’re here for your kids’ safety and we’re putting our lives at risk. Ironically, all my kids understand that more than a lot of adults. They know I do not play about safety. You need to be willing to have a voice and make sure traffic is seeing you.”
Jones has mastered that balance between safety and fun on the job—something that leaves a lasting impression on the kids and remains deeply meaningful to her.
“The kids make it worth coming to work every day, no matter how I feel,” she said. “And I’ve never felt that way about a job. They make it worth it, and I appreciate how they have accepted me. This job is one of the most fulfilling, heartwarming jobs I’ve ever had in my life.”
For ideas on how to celebrate Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week, visit the DPI website.