Albuquerque Public Schools
A Custodian Who Goes Above and Beyond
In her weekly message, Superintendent Blakey recognizes the important work of custodians across the district.
One of the many benefits of my visits to schools is the great people I get to meet.
Take Jacob Flores, the head custodian at Mission Avenue Elementary, whose dedication is visible throughout the school.
If you’ve visited Mission Avenue, you’ve likely noticed the vibrant animals that adorn the hallways. There’s a squirrel and hummingbird, a dinosaur, a sloth, and even a rabbit, to name a few. Each of these meticulously carved animals is paired with a sign bearing the engraved name of a teacher.
It makes finding a particular classroom much easier for our younger students and for the families of all our students, who can be told to look for the dinosaur or the squirrel. Beyond the practicality, they make Mission Avenue unique and serve as a wonderful reminder that members of our staff go the extra mile.
Jacob hand carves the beautiful animals, engraves the signs, and paints them at home on his own time. He does it because he cares about students and staff and, like so many other APS staffers, because he’s invested in his school and takes pride in it.
Jacob has worked at Mission Avenue for eight years. He knows students' names and is loved by teachers and administrators alike.
Principal Jennifer Tooley and Assistant Principal Ami Montoya can’t stop singing his praises. Both are relatively new to the school and say Jacob has been incredibly welcoming. He also has been an advocate for continuing the school’s traditions.
Though Mission Avenue Elementary is an older school, they regularly get compliments about how clean and well-kept it is. That’s due in large part to Jacob’s dedication. He’ll fix anything that needs to be fixed and even paint all the outdoor trash cans to make sure everything matches.
During lunch, he’ll hand out “thunder bucks” – what the school calls its reward dollars – to students he sees picking up trash or performing some other good act. When student council elections are underway, Jacob is there to hang student campaign signs. If the night custodian is going to be out, Jacob will arrange his schedule to cover both his responsibilities and the night custodian’s critical tasks. And any time a questionable visitor shows up at the school, Jacob and Tim Martinez, the night custodian, are there to make sure the school is safe.
His principal and assistant principal say Jacob is kind to everyone and goes out of his way to help.
Jacob, thank you for your many contributions to Mission Avenue Elementary. You remind us that you don’t need to be a principal or a teacher to make a difference in the lives of our students.
And to every other APS custodian, I want you to know you are appreciated. Thank you for all you do!
Enjoy your weekend.