LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Christain Zapata was nominated by his colleague, Michelle Farias.

“Where’s Zapata?  I need to speak to Zapata!”

These shouts are often heard in the hallways of Northside Alternative Middle School.  The exclamations are usually coming from students who are upset, in trouble, or about to become aggressive.  They know Officer Zapata is the one person on campus they can trust to listen to them and help them calm down.  He is a fixture in the NAMS hallways, and someone who students and staff turn to for guidance and support.

Officer Zapata began his career with the Northside ISD Police Department in 2001, following his career path serving as a prison guard and Bexar County deputy.  He initially worked with middle school students to teach them how to avoid involvement with gangs, drugs and violence.  Officer Zapata taught this program throughout the district. He transitioned to working with a district drug prevention program called RESET.  The RESET program was designed to prevent substance abuse among adolescents and teach parents the skills needed to help their children make healthy and safe choices.

Officer Zapata worked with staff, students and parents across the district on substance abuse prevention.  He broadened his impact by teaching safety skills and citizenship to elementary school students.  He conducted popular parenting sessions, sharing information about drug trends, bullying, gangs, and other issues in the community. Parents and students depended on Officer Zapata for information and support with difficult topics and situations.  Officer Zapata was honored in 2009 by Northside ISD for his commitment to the district and community.  His efforts prevented students from making poor choices, and he supported parents by educating them about difficult issues.

Officer Zapata joined the Northside Alternative Middle School (NAMS) staff as a campus officer in 2013.  NAMS is the only alternative middle school in a district of 107,000 students. All middle school students who engage in prohibited behaviors such as substance abuse, violence, misbehaviors, vandalism and off-campus felonies are assigned to NAMS.  Officer Zapata is often the first person they meet when they arrive at NAMS, and that's when the relationship-building begins.

In addition to protecting the NAMS community, Officer Zapata is a facilitator of the school’s Violence Intervention Program for students with aggression issues, as well as the Compass program for students with behavior struggles.  Officer Zapata created the Police Officer’s Popapalooza program at NAMS to honor students who are doing well.  Students who are successful with their behavior, attendance and grades each week have the opportunity to spend time with Officer Zapata every Friday afternoon to celebrate their success. For many NAMS students, this is often the first time they are recognized for being successful. This recognition by the officer has a tremendous impact on their self-esteem.

Officer Zapata’s impact stretches beyond the walls of his school. NAMS shares a property with a special high school campus designed to help at-risk students graduate.  Officer Zapata often talks with the high school students and builds relationships with them.  He provides guidance for them as they work to graduate and plan for the future.  Officer Zapata’s additional duty is to monitor the parking lot before and after school hours for the arrival of the Juvenile Justice Academy (JJA) school bus.  JJA is the school that all middle and high school San Antonio students attend if they are expelled from their school districts.  The NAMS parking lot is the drop-off and pick-up site for the Northside JJA students.  Officer Zapata could simply sit in his car and monitor student behavior while they wait for the bus in the morning and their parents in the evening, but he also interacts with the students.  He talks to them to learn how they are doing, and he provides support to keep them engaged in school and encourage healthy decisions.

Officer Zapata is frequently called on for guidance. Staff will consult with him regarding what is ethical, legal and acceptable for student behaviors and staff responses.  They also seek his guidance for personal matters.  Officer Zapata is able to create a safe, nurturing environment for staff and students, which results in a trusting atmosphere in his presence.  Students are willing to admit to misbehaviors with Officer Zapata because they trust him, and they know he treats them fairly with compassion. Outside of school, he trains new officers in the district because he is recognized as an exemplary officer who has much to teach new trainees.

Officer Zapata has a unique connection with students, and he is an integral part of their success while they are at NAMS.  Officer Zapata goes beyond the duty of an officer by connecting with students and their families.  He is always talking to students, encouraging them, and holding them accountable for their actions.  Officer Zapata is skilled at talking to students who are suicidal, and he is able to help them through their immediate crisis until outside assistance is available.  He often talks to students who are at-risk for being incarcerated (or who have recently been released from incarceration) to help them process what is occurring so they are able to understand their situation and what this means for them and their families.  Officer Zapata’s skill in working with students who are in crisis has helped prevent tragedy and promote healing.

Officer Zapata frequently talks to parents.  His ability to speak Spanish creates an immediate connection with many parents.  He provides parents with techniques for guiding their at-risk children.  Former students and parents will often return to visit Officer Zapata at NAMS because they value his support and guidance.  He has dedicated his career to helping students and their families.  He frequently buys groceries for families and shoes/clothing for students out of his own money. Officer Zapata often conducts home visits to make sure students and their families are doing well.  He even buys Christmas gifts for families who are struggling so they can celebrate the holidays without worry. 

It is not uncommon to see Officer Zapata in the parking lot helping a stranger whose car broke down on the road, or helping a staff member move furniture and boxes.  Office Zapata is a vital part of the NAMS student experience and a valued member of the Northside School District community.  His care, empathy, compassion, and energy create an environment for students and families where they feel connected, recognized, and encouraged. 

The greatest effect that Officer Zapata has with students and families involves the image of law enforcement that he portrays.  Many students and families have had negative experiences with officers because of prior arrests and detainments. There is a high level of distrust towards law enforcement that permeates the NAMS family community.  This can lead to hostile situations and dangerous outcomes in students’ neighborhoods. Officer Zapata shows NAMS students and their families that officers do care about them and can be trusted.  He is changing the relationship of the community with law enforcement by providing a positive fixture in their lives.

"Officer Zapata’s compassion, willingness to listen, helpful attitude, fairness and generosity have impacted the experience of so many people who, otherwise, would remain distrustful and hostile towards officers," said Farias. "His impact on the lives of many is immediate and long-lasting.  Officer Zapata is a LifeChanger."