Guard marks 3 decades protecting kids

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Everyday, 56-year-old Clairlea Eckert, the crossing guard queen of Exposition Boulevard, laces up her sneakers, has her stop sign in tow and is ready protect all the kids on their way to school.

"It's just the greatest feeling in the world to be able to do something for my community especially being in this area and watching this area grow,” said Eckert.

Five days a week, two hours a day, she makes sure kids get to her alma mater, Casis Elementary School safely.  Friday marks her 30th  anniversary at the intersection of Exposition Boulevard and Hillview Road.

"Some of these parents bring their kids to school I also babysat them when they were little. And now I'm doing their kids,” said Eckert.

"I bet she's going to be those kids crossing guards as well, I bet she'll three generations safely across Exposition Boulevard before she retires,” added Elizabeth Adams.  Eckert used to babysit her and now watches her kids cross the intersection.

During rush hour the intersection can become dangerous with the amount of traffic it has.

"Clairlea just has this joy of life, she knows everybody, she's excited about being here and she takes her job seriously,” explained Patty Martin, the principal of Casis Elementary.

Eckert doesn’t let anyone cross the line when it comes to child safety and the intersection.   She said people can get distracted whether it’s with their phones, cup of Joe or jus not paying attention.

"If a car runs a red light or even a yellow light she's like 'Hey!' she lets them know they've done something wrong,” said Adam’s.

"I let them know that they're going to be in my dog house,” said Eckert.

Even after 30 years, Eckert brings a lot of flare to the mornings.  She’ll wear different hats and outfits in the morning.  She has more than 400 pairs of laces to match her wardrobe but said she doesn’t know how many hats she has.

"Oh they love it, they love it every morning they can't wait to see what I'm going to wear, what I'm going to look like every morning and I always wear shorts everyday. everyday 22 below zero I'm in a pair of shorts,” said Eckert.

She doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon.

The school is hosting a celebration for her Friday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. for her.  Students are expected to wear crazy socks and hats to honor her.

Eckert said she wants everyone to show up from the past and present so they can take one big picture.