Teacher Honed His Role Model Skills as a Custodian

Kevin Knibbs, a third-grade teacher at Cox Elementary School in Dade City, Florida, never thought about a career in teaching until he learned he enjoyed interacting with students. That interaction came from the almost 10 years he worked as a school custodian, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As a custodian, Knibbs soon realized his job entailed more than cleaning the school building. He discovered the role also included being a positive role model for the students. Knibbs moved up from a custodian to facility manger. He then enrolled in the education program at a local university, continuing to work in the cleaning and maintenance industry until he graduated.

Knibbs is happy his work in schools, both as a custodian and a teacher, has provided a positive male influence in schools located in low socioeconomic areas where many students are raised by a single mother. The principal at Cox Elementary said she knew Knibbs would be a perfect fit for the school because his career track offers a lesson to children in pursuing their goals.