Naples Educator Recognized as "AAA School Safety Patrol Advisor of the Year"

Downloadable Sound Bite w/ Shonda Dewberry

If you pass by your local elementary school, you may see students adorned with neon green safety belts. They’re part of the AAA School Safety Patrol® program and each one of them is committed to helping fellow classmates get to class safely. The program has reduced injuries and fatalities among children. It has also shaped students with life-long lessons of leadership, responsibility, and good citizenship.  

Every year, AAA recognizes one faculty member from each state, who participates in the AAA School Safety Patrol program. Patrol Advisors are responsible for the training, guidance, and leadership of Safety Patrollers at their school. Nominees must submit an essay detailing how they educate and motivate Patrollers through the AAA School Safety Patrol program.

Shonda Dewberry of Vineyards Elementary School in Naples was awarded “AAA School Safety Patrol Advisor of the Year” for the 2023-24 school year in Florida.

Ms. Dewberry’s tenure of 27 years working in the early childhood education field and as Vineyards Elementary's safe school assistant not only contributed to her success as Patrol Advisor, but exemplified her true dedication to children's safety, community stewardship and leadership.

Her dedication to the AAA School Safety Patrol program, the application of traffic safety principles, and the way she constantly looks for ways to make a difference in the community are just a few reasons why she was selected as Florida’s Patrol Advisor of the Year.

“The AAA School Safety Patrol program enables students to acquire valuable knowledge and receive support in developing their self-discipline and self-confidence,” Dewberry said. “My duty as Advisor with undivided attention has been to change the students learning and motivational experiences. I can truly say our school community has already profited from implementing original initiative and continuous aid. I am most grateful to have been a part of this great process, which, from the beginning, aimed at improving and creating responsible leaders and establishing a safety culture.”

“Shonda Dewberry is an exceptional leader and role model,” said Michele Harris, the Florida Public Affairs Director for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “She is an outstanding AAA School Safety Patrol Advisor and educator, who leaves a lasting impression while making a positive difference in the lives she touches. It is with great pride we recognize her for this well-deserved honor.”

AAA School Safety Patrol® Program

The AAA School Safety Patrol program is the largest safety program in the world! Each year, more than 679,000 children participate at over 35,000 schools throughout the country. For over 100 years, AAA has sponsored the AAA School Safety Patrol program, which instills students with a sense of responsibility, leadership, and citizenship. AAA provides an array of equipment and material, including electric-lime fluorescent belts, nickel plated steel badges and training for the AAA School Safety Patrollers. When properly uniformed and trained, they can assist their grade school classmates by ensuring their safety to and from school every day. The program has been praised by safety and education groups around the globe for reducing injuries and deaths among 5-to-14-year-olds, the age group most at risk for pedestrian injury. In addition to keeping students safe, the program teaches lifelong lessons of responsibility, leadership, and good citizenship. AAA School Safety Patrol members are school-sponsored student volunteers from upper elementary grades, middle and junior high schools. Patrollers direct children, not traffic. As school-age leaders in traffic safety, patrol members teach other students about traffic safety on a peer-to-peer basis. They also serve as models for younger children, who look up to them.

School Safety Patrollers:

• Complete training in traffic safety.
• Protect students from hazards of crossing roads and highways on their way to and from school.
• Assist bus drivers in safely transporting students to and from school.
• Teach fellow students about traffic safety.
• Serve in other leadership roles under the direction of school officials.

Typically, teachers and principals appoint patrol members, who participate with parental approval. A teacher usually serves as the patrol advisor. Local law enforcement officers may also be involved with patrols. Click here to learn more.