More Than A Janitor

What comes to mind when you consider the workplace title of High School Janitor? Probably not many glamourous images related to the job duties of cleaning up after hundreds of teenagers. You might imagine a person dawning a uniform, gloves, and a variety of cleaning tools like a mop, bucket, rags, and spray bottles. It would seem appropriate that said individual would have a big key chain to access all the rooms and storage areas to complete his or her assigned duties. You would be accurate in those observations but if you visit Trinity High School in Euless Texas you might find out much more about their janitor, Charles Clark. 

His career with the school began twenty-five years ago and very shortly after starting his daily tasks he noticed some students that seemed to be falling through the cracks. Rather than keep to himself, he decided to sit down with them for one-to-one chats. In these discussions you could observe Charles encouraging the teens, advising them, answering questions, and doing a lot of listening. Here was this adult that was willing to invest his time, energy, and wisdom into a bunch of kids with no strings attached. It wasn't an expectation for a janitor to live up to. It doesn't add any dollars to his income. It doesn't even position him for a promotion. It's simply something he does out of the goodness of his heart and out of his concern for students to have every opportunity to excel. 

One of his current mentoring friendships is with 17 year old junior, Jessie Laywell who states, "Mr. Clark has been looking out for me ever since I've been here. I can tell Mr. Clark anything and he will give me his honest opinion. He is very wise. He is very loving." Right about now some of you more skeptical types might be wondering where the counseling office stands with all of this. Well sitting school counselor Peggy McIntyre is a big fan stating that "Charles has a better way with certain kids." that she just cannot seem to reach despite her credentials as a certified clinical psychiatrist fully adorned with Master's degrees to boot. As such, Ms. McIntyre is happy to share the limelight and have Mr. Clark continue his mentoring ways even referring students to him at times.

What is his secret? Charles would say, "Once they trust you and they know you love them, you can get them to 'buy into' what you're selling." In other words once he establishes credibility, they believe him when he doles out advice, encouragement, or even a kind word of warning. Whatever the case may be Charles has a proven track record consisting of dozens of students who would testify to the high value he has brought into their lives by taking the time to care.