How she shines: Caroline exemplifies servant leadership in everything she does. She is accommodating, encouraging, and supportive of her staff, always willing to step in and help wherever she is needed. Her integrity and strong communication skills have earned her the trust and respect of those she works with each day. Caroline takes the time to teach and mentor substitute custodians, preparing them for the day-to-day rigors and expectations of professional cleaning and helping them feel confident in their roles. Caroline is also a tremendous collaborator and an essential member of the Westside Elementary team. She works closely with teachers and staff to support their events, activities, and daily needs, often going above and beyond to ensure that everyone has what they need for a successful school experience. She understands that a clean, safe, and welcoming school environment contributes directly to the success of students and staff.
Her commitment to sustainability is evident in her efforts to support recycling initiatives. Caroline personally transports the building’s recycling to our local recycling center, ensuring that these materials are properly processed rather than becoming waste. This is just one example of how she takes ownership of initiatives that benefit both our school and our community. Caroline’s dedication extends well beyond the walls of Westside Elementary. She is actively involved in her community and generously donates her time to local service organizations. She consistently demonstrates that service to others is not simply part of her job—it is a value she carries into every aspect of her life.
Caroline is also deeply committed to the success of her team. When she is away from the building, she communicates with all of her stakeholders to ensure that their needs are understood and addressed. She takes great pride in making sure Westside is never left short-staffed or without the support it needs. Caroline prioritizes the needs of her building and her team, often putting the success of others ahead of her own convenience.
Through her willingness to learn, teach, mentor, collaborate, and continually improve, Caroline demonstrates a genuine commitment to professional and personal growth. She is a dependable leader, a dedicated teammate, and a valued member of both the Westside Elementary and Park County School District #1. Caroline’s commitment to service, sustainability, teamwork, and continuous development makes her an outstanding example of the values we strive to see in our employees.
Years in the industry: 15 years
Job responsibilities: Caroline serves as a member of the District’s custodial team, maintaining the physical school plant in a condition of operating excellence and providing students with a safe, attractive, clean, and comfortable environment so they can take full advantage of the District’s educational opportunities. Overall, she contributes to a positive school atmosphere by offering pleasant, accommodating custodial services for students and staff.
Her daily duties include cleaning and/or assigning cleaning schedules to ensure that facilities (e.g. cafeteria, classrooms, offices, restrooms, sidewalks, grounds, etc.) are maintained in a sanitary, safe, and attractive environment; arranging furnishings and equipment (e.g. assembly, meetings, cafeteria for lunch, removing and moving furniture, etc.) for the purpose of providing adequate preparation for meetings, classroom activities and special events; and preparing the facility for daily operations (e.g. opening gates, raising flags, unlocking doors, turning off alarms, snow removal, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring facilities are operational and safe for occupancy.
In conjunction with the Building Principal, Caroline coordinates work responsibilities and areas among the associate custodian(s). She also performs general household maintenance for the building’s plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems and repairs equipment, furniture, fencing, asphalt, concrete, and building structure whenever possible, processing work orders to the Coordinator of Support Services for action; examines assigned facility and playground on a regular basis for needed maintenance and/or repairs; assumes responsibility for the general security and fire safety of the building, performing inspections of fire system, emergency lights, and exit lights as requested.
In coordination with the Building Principal and the Coordinator of Support Services, Caroline has developed an efficient system for handling emergency repair problems and performs emergency services as necessary. This allows her to respond to immediate safety and/or operational concerns (e.g. facility damage, alarms, graffiti, unauthorized individuals, etc.) for the purpose of taking appropriate action to resolve immediate issues and maintain a functioning educational environment; replace or arrange for professional replacement of broken windows; process work orders for maintenance paint schedules; assist with snow removal as needed; report all acts of vandalism or problems associated with security or safety to the building principal; and maintain facility security during Command Operation Days.
Caroline can also consult with the Building Principal regarding the establishment of regular, preventative-maintenance programs for furnishing mechanical, electrical, and technology that's handled by others; order materials as needed through the warehouse and make recommendations for purchases of supplies and equipment to the Coordinator of Support Services; receive supplies and equipment and maintain necessary inventories, delivering and storing items appropriately; and maintain such records as are required for efficient operation of assigned facility.
Overall, she has knowledge of and is prepared to act in accordance to the district and school's emergency procedures; participates in in-service training programs as requested, and performs such other duties as may be assigned by the Building Principal and/or Coordinator of Support Services.
Career path: Caroline was an Associate Custodian who worked her way to the top of our chain as a Building Custodian.
Fun fact: Caroline is one of 12 children in her family.