Dr. Andy Szeto: More Than a Thank You - The Essential Work of Custodians
A storm can shut down a city, but it also exposes what is usually invisible. During the Northeast storm earlier this year, with snowfall topping 20 plus inches in many places, custodians and school staff worked around the clock to clear entrances, salt sidewalks, check heating systems, and restore buildings so schools could be ready as early as the next day.
My first reaction was the typical one. Thank you. Genuine gratitude. But the longer I do this work, the more I realize this is bigger than gratitude.
Moments like this highlight a basic truth about schools: custodians are not peripheral to the mission. They are part of the core operating system. Their work makes instruction possible, shapes the conditions of the schoolyard and cafeteria, protects the safety and dignity of students and staff, and stabilizes the environment where learning happens.
Over the years, I have gotten some unusual calls and “emergencies.” Everything from a squirrel in the cafeteria, to a bed bug specimen left on my desk for “testing,” to a rodent issue that needed immediate attention, to someone leaving a bumper in the school parking lot. These moments are strange, stressful, and sometimes absurd. They also reveal how schools actually function.
When these calls come in, they rarely arrive with tidy timelines. They come with urgency and a lot of “Can you come right now?” And almost every time, the people who quietly move the situation from chaos to calm are our custodians. These unsung men and women know the building’s rhythms. They know the back hallways, the quirks of aging pipes, and the doors that stick when humidity rises. They show up early, stay late, and solve problems most people never even see.
Their work is not separate from the work we call important. Custodial work makes the important work possible.
When bathrooms are closed, instructional minutes are lost. When air quality is poor, attendance and concentration suffer. When the schoolyard is unsafe, recess becomes risk management instead of restoration. When classrooms are not reset for summer school, programs begin in disarray. From instructional leadership in classrooms to the conditions of the schoolyard, the daily experience of school depends on the people who maintain, repair, clean, reset, and prepare the spaces we share.
Transitions make this even clearer. Getting a building ready for summer school or a major event is not simply unlocking doors. It involves furniture moves, deep cleaning, HVAC adjustments, room reassignments, coordination with vendors, and safety walkthroughs. Much of this work happens before anyone else arrives. When it is done well, it is invisible. When it is not, it shows up everywhere.
So if we want to honor custodians in a way that goes beyond a quick thank you, leadership has to change behavior, not just language. Consider the following leadership moves: Start with regular check-ins, even when nothing is “wrong.” A short, consistent touchpoint with custodial leadership surfaces issues early and builds trust. Include custodians in planning for testing, summer programming, assemblies, and special events, not as an afterthought but as a necessary voice. Communicate changes clearly and with lead time. Last-minute room shifts and furniture moves create ripple effects that are avoidable with basic coordination.
Most importantly, treat custodial expertise as expertise. Custodians understand safety, systems, logistics, and the real constraints of a building. Naming that publicly matters. Modeling dignity in everyday interactions matters too, because how leaders speak to custodial staff sets the tone for how everyone speaks to them.
Gratitude is appropriate. Recognition is necessary. And respect should show up in the daily routines of leadership, because a school cannot do “the important work” unless someone is also doing the essential work.
Lead Forward is an exclusive feature by Dr. Andy Szeto on The Worthy Educator. Check back regularly for new insights for aspiring leaders!
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