Christopher Dingman wakes up every day ready to serve and protect the community that raised him. As a student, he attended Roan Forest Elementary School, Tejeda Middle School and before graduating from Johnson High School in 2016.
Growing up, he always dreamed of becoming a police officer. That dream became a reality when he officially joined the North East Police Department in January. And Dingman hit the ground running, ready to make a difference as a District patrol officer.
“When NEISD called me the first time to come and interview, I pulled all my applications everywhere else, hoping that this would work out. Being able to give back to my community is really special. I can make a difference and I can be that positive role model in a student’s life and make a real change.”
Dingman knows that real change can only come from real, honest conversations. It’s important for him to connect with students in a positive way. Advocating for mental health awareness is a cause that’s near and dear to him. And he realizes that there’s great power in reading a book to an elementary class, talking to students in the pickup lane or sitting down for lunch in the cafeteria.
“Under the uniform and under the badge, we’re people just like everybody else,” said Dingman. “I want to work somewhere where I feel like I’m making an impact and I have that here. I can sit across the lunch table with a student who’s having a bad day and maybe they’ll open up to me and we can have an honest conversation.”
Starting his career at North East ISD felt a lot like coming home, and Dingman considers it a great privilege to walk the halls and reconnect with the people who watched him grow up.
“It’s a cool feeling when you see a former teacher and they tell you that they’re proud of you,” said Dingman. “At the end of the day, I want to be able to wear this uniform with this badge and be a positive light in someone’s life.”
Thank you, Officer Dingman, for shining your light back home at NEISD.
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