We have all seen an old western movie where the sheriff hammers a Most Wanted Poster on the outside wall of the local jailhouse, and we’ve seen episodes of “America’s Most Wanted” where the host documents the search for society’s evildoers. Those two words, “Most Wanted,” have always implied the ongoing pursuit of lawbreakers in our society, but how does that apply to our middle school student population?
While most of us don’t view our middle school student population as troublemakers, it is well-documented to be the most challenging age for students. Puberty is the time when children encounter new emotional and physical changes, all co-occurring with an increased academic load. A more intense extracurricular life compounds increased social challenges as young people learn to adjust to adolescence.
At Ola Middle School, Resource Officer Randy Allen sees the middle school world through a unique lens that has allowed him to develop a program called “Allen’s Most Wanted.” His innovative approach to discipline is genuinely making a positive impact. “When I took on the role of School Resource Officer at Ola Middle School, my foremost priority was ensuring the safety of students, staff, and administrators,” says Officer Allen. However, he identified a recurring contributing issue. “Many of the incidents stemmed from students being off task. The common denominator was a lack of focus, whether it was horseplay, inappropriate conversations, or friendly banter escalating into conflicts.”
“The goal of Allen’s Most Wanted was simple: recognizing and rewarding students for exemplary behavior,” says Officer Allen. His vision alone would not be enough to move forward; it would also require the approval and support of Principal Christine Anderson and the PTO. Once approved, his vision gained traction, and the participation of the Most Wanted began to flourish, with students striving to be recognized and to recognize others for positive behavior.
Officer Allen further incentivized program participation by introducing a jackpot of cash prizes for exemplary conduct. “To fund the jackpot prizes, I reached out to the local community and secured sponsorships. These community partners are not only helping incentivize positive behavior but are also supporting the school’s commitment to both safety and education. I plan to keep the community updated on disciplinary statistics and demonstrate how their contributions are making a meaningful impact on our school environment.”
Congratulations to School Resource Officer Randy Allen for his willingness and desire to bring an outside-the-box idea to Ola Middle School to help incentivize students to strive to be the best they can be in and out of the classroom.
