For the past three years, Erin Tobias has been a familiar face around East Allegheny.

Students see her in the hallways. Families see her at football games, concerts and other school events. And wherever she goes, it’s not unusual to hear students call out, “Hi, Miss Erin.”

Now, Tobias is officially an East Allegheny School District employee, taking on the role of Security Supervisor.

Tobias first came to EA in August 2023 as the lead security guard at Logan Elementary School. The following summer, she became an account coordinator, overseeing security guards across the district. She continued in that role through the 2025-26 school year before joining EA directly.

While her employer has changed, Tobias said her focus has not. She wants students and staff to feel safe each day and to know the people responsible for their safety.

More Than a Familiar Face

For Tobias, being visible and building relationships with students is an important part of school security. “It’s extremely important to be a familiar, friendly face to not only the students and staff, but also the community because it creates a comfort level of safety for all,” Tobias said.

Those relationships can make a difference when a student needs help or a situation needs to be de-escalated. They also extend well beyond the school day.

Last year, Tobias traveled to Hershey with her mother and daughter to watch the EA marching band compete. She remembers the reaction when students spotted her in the stands. “Miss Erin, you came all the way here just for us. That’s awesome,” Tobias recalled one student saying. It was a moment that reflected what Tobias values about her role. She wants students to know that the adults keeping them safe are also there to support them.

Keeping EA Safe Each Day

As Security Supervisor, Tobias oversees guards in both district buildings, coordinates security coverage for school events and works with administrators on safety procedures and required drills. She stresses that school security is not simply about responding when something goes wrong.

“We are there to help prevent an issue, to be proactive rather than reactive, all while making sure the buildings are safe and secure from any outside threats,” she said.

Tobias said EA’s close-knit atmosphere reminds her of growing up in Pitcairn. Although she did not attend EA or live in the district, she said she quickly felt like part of the community.

She now gets to watch its students grow up. The kindergarten class Tobias met when she arrived at EA is entering third grade this fall. “I can’t imagine how I will feel when I walk out onto the field in 2036 and watch that class graduate,” she said.

Tobias hopes to be there for plenty of milestones between now and that 2036 graduation. In the meantime, her focus is on what happens every day, making sure EA’s students and staff have a safe place to learn, work and grow.