CMM spoke with Edward Smith III, executive director of facilities at Tuscaloosa City Schools in Alabama, about the important role of professional cleaners in education facilities. Smith has been in the environmental services (EVS) profession for 21 years, including six years at Tuscaloosa City Schools.
What sparked your interest in the cleaning industry?
Edward Smith: The impact did. School custodians do a very important job. However, the job is not always respected. More importantly, custodians sometimes do not know their worth. My first opportunity was with Sodexo School Services; I was introduced to the cleaning industry as a custodian manager working in Huntsville City Schools in Alabama. After six months, I was
promoted to the director of facilities at the Kenston Local School District in Ohio. Then I came back to Huntsville City Schools as the custodial manager and was later promoted to the facilities coordinator.
Working for Huntsville City Schools for 15 years helped me to realize how custodians provide a level of peace, organization, expertise, and safety that enhances the education process. No other
workers interact with students, teachers, and community members as much as custodians. Every day is a new adventure. Custodians are provided schedules to clean, however, their day involves more than just general cleaning. They need the ability to communicate expertly, to be flexible, to understand each day’s specific needs, and to work and take directions from many people. Of course, they also need an understanding of how to clean and to disinfect.
What inspired you to become a professional cleaner?
Smith: My inspiration simply comes from understanding the importance of custodians and their impact on the education process. Their work affects everyone in the building.
Custodians are usually the first person called when things go wrong or when people have questions about the building. Most students see custodians every day and interact with them. Who really knows what is going on in the school more than a custodian? Maintenance employees also look to custodians for information about the school. Without custodians, the school loses most
of its ability to support general operations.
What do you find most rewarding about your career?
Smith: I find it rewarding when an employee goes through the transformation from believing they’re “just a custodian” to realizing the importance of their career. When a custodian experiences a
real understanding of their value and their ability to be an intricate part of the education process, the schools have an investment that is worth double the custodian’s salary. Case in point, in
April of this year lead custodians Ericka Thomas and Sherry Williams were the first custodians in the Tuscaloosa City School District’s history to gain their Certified Environmental Services
Executive (CESE) certification from the Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA), a division of ISSA. They are still hungry for knowledge and work every day to be a
shining example of custodian transformation.
On May 29, we had our Summer Custodian Training. It was a huge success. Our school district superintendent, the chief financial officer, the superintendent of operations, the principals,
officials from the Alabama Education Association, and the vice president of Aramark Services all attended. Their encouragement of training and service excellence helps us forge our vision for our
workers’ custodial careers.
What do you find the most difficult or the most challenging about your job?
Smith: Helping to train, inspire, and coach custodians and other employees is a challenge. It seems we’re alone in trying to change the culture. Many employees resist change, stating, “we have
always done it this way.” But, this opportunity to change the culture is worth the time and effort.
What are the biggest misconceptions/ myths people believe about the cleaning industry and its workers?
Smith: We need to remove the stigma that custodians just clean toilets and empty trash. In addition, the industry is also incorrectly lumped in with low-paying jobs. Custodians undergo
both professional and personal training. Those who are progressive, with high aspirations, are destined to be directors, managers, and coordinators and can triple their salaries. Most people will not go into custodial work and consider this career track a failure, even though many schools have openings and offer great benefit packages. Many people who are not going to college after high school never consider working as a custodian. What a missed opportunity! The definition of a custodian is the protector of something valuable. What is more valuable than kids?
What advice would you give to people looking to enter the cleaning/ housekeeping industry?
Smith: Custodians: Do your homework. Understand the value and importance of custodial work. When you get the position, be a “go getter.” Do not be passive. Learn as much as possible. Ask many questions and position yourself around positive people who encourage you to be the best. Custodians must show and demonstrate their value so take all available training.
Leaders: Be an advocate for custodians. Official standards do not exist in most states; therefore, leaders must use industry best practices. This is tough sometimes because of the past culture in the school or district. As a leader, you cannot throw your hands up and go with the flow. Instead, you must explain to custodians their value and expose them to best practices.
