RALEIGH, N.C. — On Wednesday, more than 100 schools across North Carolina participated in National Walk and Roll to School Day. It’s a way to garner support for safer, more accessible streets, less traffic congestion and promote an active lifestyle. More pedestrians during the morning commute means a greater focus on safety for those students and families not driving to school.

The national initiative also puts a spotlight on the important job that crossing guards, like Teressa Gill in Raleigh, have.

“It’s when it’s hot that it becomes challenging. I really pray when it’s hot. But other than that, I have no complaints. This is the right occupation for me,” Gill said.

It takes a village to raise kids and school crossing guards are part of that village.

“I can remember Harrison. Harrison was diagnosed with cancer. I got to see a miracle. Duke and other hospitals in Chapel Hill took excellent care of him. He’s now at middle school,” Gill said.

This is Gill’s ninth year as a crossing guard with the City of Raleigh, a job she stumbled into after she was laid off.

“I said I don’t know why I’m applying to this job. These people aren’t going to call me. I’m too old. Just the right age,” Gill said.

Between the morning and afternoon, the city has 96 shifts for crossing guards. According to the Raleigh Police Department, about 25 people work those hours right now, and they’re short about six people, which leaves room for potential accidents.

“Drivers, you really should slow down. These stop signs, they here for a reason. They are going too fast. They’re not paying attention. I know we have a lot on our plate, but safety should be the No. 1 priority out here,” Gill said.

To attract more people to the job, the city raised the pay to $15.66 an hour on July 1. It’s an increase from $10.59 an hour.

Gill says she doesn’t do it for the paycheck.

“It’s a wonderful thing to make a whole lot of money. But if you are miserable and you’re not liking the people around you shortens your life,” Gill said.

And if that’s the case, she’ll live forever.

“Unless the good Lord comes and gets me. I’ll be back. So they said, ‘No, the Lord’s not coming to get you just yet. You got more work to do,’” Gill said.

The process to become a crossing guard depends on each city and district. The ideal candidate is typically someone who is retired, because the shifts are usually during the morning and afternoon commute times.

In Raleigh, applicants have to pass a background check as well as a drug test, and the training takes about one day.

In North Carolina, the speeding ticket in a school zone comes with a $250 fine.