Get to know the man behind the treasurer bars.
by Sam Stavish
photo by Manny Perez
The Treasurer’s office: chances are that you’ve all been there, whether it is paying a three-month-old library fine or asking for change to get on the bus. But do you know the man behind the treasurer bars? Do you know the real Derrek Steffes?
Having grown up in Denver, Colorado, Steffes isn’t far from home. “Not many people know this, and I won’t admit it at first, but I did go to TJ as a student myself,” said Steffes. “I wish I could go back and do high school again, now.”
Since Steffes graduated from TJ in 1987, most of his former teachers have left. In fact, the only two teachers remaining from the Steffes era of TJ are Spanish Teacher Rose Romero-Young and Tech Resource Marshall Hanks. “I never had him as a student, but I remember him going here,” commented Young. “He was a very nice guy, and it is nice that he can now act as a positive influence on the kids today.”
Before this TJ alum came back to Spartandom for work, Steffes held many interesting jobs. “Before coming to TJ I worked so many jobs I can’t even remember half of them,” said Steffes. “My most memorable jobs were probably at some of the video game stores I worked at. They were really fun jobs. All you really have to do is watch a lot of movies and play a lot of video games.” Although the days of video game stores are long gone, the days of playing video games are alive and well.
“In my spare time I love watching movies and playing video games. My favorite game recently is Dead Space, but I will play any game, besides the racing games,” commented Steffes. “I also really love the movie The Rock, but I am always looking for fun new movies to watch.”
Steffes has been working at TJ for 13 years now, but he hasn’t always been the treasurer. In his first year on the job, Steffes served as a copy clerk and helped out in the library. Steffes then switched to the attendance desk for five years before moving again to the requisition position. “I enjoyed my time in attendance because I got to see the kids,” commented Steffes. “When I moved to requisitions, I missed seeing the students. I’m glad that I am in the treasurer position and am able to help the students out.” Steffes is now in his 3rd year as the treasurer.
As this reporter knows from experience, along with many other kids, Steffes enjoys a good prank once and awhile. He will occasionally tell students that they have missed their deadline or that checks are no longer accepted. The prank will continue until Steffes can no longer keep a straight face. “Sometimes it seems a little stuffy here,” Steffes said. ”An occasional joke makes the kids and me smile and laugh, and gives them a short break from the monotony of the day.”
When coming down to the treasurer’s office, located in the main hallway, there are two important rules to remember. The first is to arrive during the appropriate times. “Kids are not supposed to come see me during class time,“ said Steffes. “They are welcome to come down in between classes, at lunch, and before and after school.”
Rule number two: Have a little respect. “I don’t like it when kids have no manners,” stated Steffes. “But then again, it is cool that I can help them develop and mature into better people,” he added.
So next time you need to pay an outstanding fine, pay for an AP test, or just need change for a five, head down to Derrek Steffes in the treasurer’s office. “People really only get to ever see me behind these bars, but I deal with a lot of business at TJ, and I love working with the kids.”
