Meshay Brisco uses her job as a Madison crossing guard to make a difference

On the last day of school before winter break, crossing guard Meshay Brisco, 32, meets the children of Orchard Ridge Elementary School with open arms and inquires about their days. Brisco dressed up in honor of the holiday season, so she’s wearing red sunglasses and a festive headband that’s topped with two Christmas trees. Despite the chilly temperatures, it’s hard to not to feel the warmth of her constant smile.

“Everywhere she goes, she’s very beloved,” said Niko Magallón, crossing guard supervisor for the city of Madison.

Crossing guard Meshay Brisco helps kids cross Whitney Way after school in Madison. In a single day, Brisco encounters students from four different schools, and she knows many students by name.

AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL

Meshay Brisco’s smiling face is the first thing many Madison children see when they arrive at school and the last thing they see as they leave. Brisco, who has two young kids of her own, started her part-time role as a crossing guard for the city last February.

Every weekday morning, Brisco wakes up at 5:50 a.m. to arrive on time for her first shift, at the corner of Mineral Point Road and Owen Drive, at 7 a.m. After that shift, she makes her way to the corner of Whitney Way and Russet Road around 8 a.m. Then, starting at 2:30 p.m., Brisco repeats her shifts from earlier in the day.

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By working her two corners, Brisco encounters children from four different schools — Orchard Ridge Elementary School, Akira Toki Middle School, Midvale Elementary School and Our Lady Queen of Peace School.

Patience is key as a crossing guard, Brisco said. No matter the weather, how early in the morning it is or what’s going on in her personal life, Brisco always tries to spread positivity to those who cross her path.

“I don’t bring nothing to work but a smile on my face,” Brisco said. “Even if I see people not having a good day, I’m so determined to make them have a good day.”

What made you want to become a crossing guard?

I’ve wanted to do it for a while. At my kids’ school and in my neighborhood, I was seeing a lot of kids not going straight to school. So I was like, “I think I can do it, and I think I could motivate kids to go school.”

I think I did that on this corner because I had a lot of kids who used to try to ditch, who used to go to the Walgreens around the corner. The store had a sign that said they couldn’t go into Walgreens without their parents. But since I’ve been here, they changed it. So now they let them go in there and get stuff. It’s because they don’t stay in there and miss school.

At first, I was passing out gum every morning to lure the kids to the school. When they get here I’m like, “No you’re not supposed to go that way. You’re supposed to go to school. Where are you going?”

Since starting her job as a crossing guard, Brisco has used her role to encourage students to attend school instead of ditching.

AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL

What’s something that surprised you about being a crossing guard?

It’s so dangerous. I help everybody go across the street. It doesn’t matter if you’re young, old, on the bike, pushing a stroller or in a wheelchair. People think it’s so easy and all you have to do is hold a sign up. I’ve almost gotten hit. I pray for all my crossing guard friends. I pray that we all make it home safely.

What’s been your favorite part of the job so far?

My favorite part about the job is that I’m getting to know these kids. I know their parents and I really love the families and I feel like I’m part of their family. A lot of the kids ask me what my name is and some of the parents and I have exchanged numbers, just to say good morning to each other. I definitely feel more connected to the community.

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