With nearly 1,800 students, Ukiah High’s campus supervisors play a key role in keeping the school safe and running smoothly. While teachers and coaches support students in the classroom and on the field, supervisors are the first line of defense when it comes to security and student well-being.
Eight supervisors patrol campus daily, covering miles on foot and responding to everything from minor disruptions to serious incidents. To get a better understanding of what they do, the Ukiah News Team spent a day shadowing one of them.
A Job That Keeps You Moving
Tiffany Montessonti has been a Ukiah High campus supervisor since 2022. Before this, she worked at a juvenile hall, where she gained experience working with a wide range of students. She enjoys her job, telling UHS News, “I have had a lot of jobs, and this one is really cool.”
Supervisors follow assigned routes throughout the day, covering 7-10 miles on foot. They use radios and earpieces to stay connected, ensuring they can respond quickly when needed. But the job isn’t just about security—it’s also about building relationships with students.
“We give kids advice, not just about school stuff,” Montessonti explained. Throughout the day, she greeted students, reminded them to get to class, and even stopped to chat. When she saw a student lingering outside, she didn’t hesitate to call them out: “I want you to get inside and learn something!”
More Than Just Rule Enforcers
Our day with Montessonti started at the small tri-gym, where she checked doors, helped late students inside, and secured the building. From there, we walked the perimeter, a task that becomes especially important during rainy months when supervisors check for leaks and safety hazards.
Of course, not every student is happy to see a campus supervisor. Some push back against authority, and dealing with disrespect comes with the job. “Kids try to be disrespectful when they are mad, and they try to make us feel mad,” Montessonti said. But she doesn’t let it get to her, even joking, “I get paid to be a snitch.”
Handling Tough Situations
Along with monitoring campus, supervisors handle disciplinary issues. We followed Montessonti as she delivered detention slips and escorted students to the Restorative Justice Center.
When asked about her most intense moment on the job, she recalled her first time breaking up a fight. Being new, she struggled to get the students to listen. “I felt vulnerable,” she admitted, explaining that while supervisors work to de-escalate situations, it’s not always easy.
Rain or Shine, They’re on Duty
At the end of our shift, we joined Montessonti at the front gate, where she ensured students coming from the park didn’t sneak onto buses. No matter the weather, supervisors are out there making sure things run smoothly. “We’re out here in the most drastic weather—from freezing cold to 115-degree blazing sun,” she said.
After spending the day shadowing a campus supervisor, one thing was clear: they do much more than enforce rules. They support, protect, and connect with students every day.
Ischei Mcleod
Ischei Mcleod was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She recently relocated to live in Ukiah, California. The move was sudden for her but she's trying her best to get comfortable. She decided to join the journalism class at the Ukiah High School because she’s always been interested in writing and reading literature. Ischei is not a very outgoing person; she prefers to write to express her thoughts and feelings. She is really eager to learn about journalism and all its qualities. In the future she would like to travel and documentate on all the beautiful and unique sights, people and culture she comes across.