Sgt. Scott Schmitt loves his job so much that he's quitting.

He resigned from the Peachtree City Police Department last week after serving as the school resource officer at McIntosh High School for the past three years. Students, however, won't miss him at all when school cranks up again in the fall. That's when Sgt. Schmitt begins his first year as a special education teacher.

Schmitt developed a law enforcement class and began teaching it during his second semester at McIntosh. He designed it so students could learn how police officers do their jobs, the history of policing ... and the consequences of breaking the law.

The students “ran radar” on traffic passing in front of the school. They learned how to lift fingerprints from various surfaces.

But mostly, Schmitt wanted to break the ice with the students so they could get to know him a little better. So they could trust him. After a while, students began to seek him out for advice.

“They may just need someone to talk to because they're not getting attention at home or they're fighting with their friends,” Schmitt said. “Or maybe they don't have anyone else to talk to.

“Instead of punishing them, if we just listen when they need to talk, that would help.”

McIntosh Principal Greg Stillions said the law enforcement class was incredibly well received by students. He also hopes Schmitt can find time to teach the class again this fall. The school might develop the class into a series of courses so students can be better qualified for police jobs when they leave high school, Stillions added.

“The kids loved the class,” Stillions said. “He's so good with our kids because of his rapport with them.”

The class field trip always got the kids' attention, Schmitt said. They'd go to Jackson State Prison, where death row inmates are housed, so they could see what happens if they ever committed a crime that resulted in the loss of their freedoms.

He called that lesson the most important part of the semester-long class.

“After we come back, I have them write a short essay on how it must feel to have your freedom taken away,” Schmitt said. “It really makes them think about what can happen.”

He also informed them that the law gives them few freedoms while they are on school grounds.

Schmitt made such a positive impression with students that many would visit him during school to help sort out the troubles in their lives with school, parents, the law or other issues.

“In the classroom you get to know a kid in a different way than just talking to them in the hall,” Schmitt said.

Eventually, two students unknowingly helped Schmitt make the decision to abandon law enforcement altogether so he could teach. One student wrote him a note several months after she graduated, letting him know she appreciated the law enforcement class and the lessons she learned.

A tribute from another student came in the mailbox one day in the form of a letter from “Who's Who Among American Teachers.” Schmitt opened the envelope and found his name listed inside.

Though numerous teachers are recognized by that publication, Schmitt was flattered that a student nominated him for the honor.

“Just being able to know that an ex-student thought I made an impact on their life in the classroom, that's great,” Schmitt said proudly.

Schmitt is working on his master's degree in special education at State University of West Georgia. For now, Stillions is more than happy to have Schmitt in the special education department, especially considering the statewide shortage of special education teachers.

“The need for special education teachers is phenomenal,” Stillions said.

Schmitt has built a solid track record as a police officer and teacher, winning the Peachtree City Rotary Club's Officer of the Year award twice and being named McIntosh's teacher of the month in December of 1999.

Schmitt, who has coached football for the school since 1994, has also been promoted to head varsity assistant coach. He will serve as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator for the upcoming gridiron season.

Not bad for a guy who originally aspired to join the U.S. Secret Service and protect the President of the United States. He's more than ecstatic being able to teach, coach and be a solid role model for the students at McIntosh.

“It's really what I wanted,” he said with a smile. The gaze he returned let you know he meant exactly what he said, deep down to the core of his heart.

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