Duty Calls

ESP Stand Tall When Helping Students

By Dave Arnold

As a young boy growing up in South Texas, Al Perez struggled with the English language when he entered elementary school. His Latino family spoke mostly Spanish at home.

“I put in endless hours of school work - conjugating verbs, practicing spelling, dissecting sentences," says Perez, Director of the ESP Quality Department for the National Education Association (NEA). "While my teachers were patient and my parents were understanding, it was one man who helped me get past my struggles and start to succeed: Mr. Frank Ramirez, Kleberg Elementary School Custodian."

ESP Duties

Most people have job descriptions and standards. Most people try to meet these job standards or they will be out of a job. Some people strive not only to meet job standards, but also to surpass them.

Many Education Support Professionals (ESP) who I know, often go beyond the call of duty, especially when a child's education and well-being is concerned.

Perez writes about his admiration for Ramirez in the introductory pages of the NEA reference book titled,“The ESProfessionals: An action Guide to Help You in Your Professional Development."

"Though his (Ramirez) custodial duties were done for the day, he didn't leave the school building,” writes Perez. “He stayed a little longer - for me. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to. When I asked him why, he simply replied, “Because I've been where you are. I struggled, too."

Perez goes on to explain his reason for telling the story.

“I credit Mr. Ramirez, and so many other support professionals like him, for helping me get to where I am today,” he says. “They were from my community. And they truly wanted me to succeed."

Math Tutor

A few years ago, my wife, Nancy, was working as a part-time custodian in our school district. As she was cleaning the girl's restroom, a fifth-grader came in crying her heart out. Nancy stopped what she was doing and asked the girl what could be so terrible.

"Math problems," the girl said. She was frustrated over not being able to add unlike fractions. Nancy knows math. She took off her cleaning gloves and got out an ink pen. On a paper towel she reviewed some math equations step by step.

Nancy says the little girl's frown turned into a big smile. Eventually, more girls joined the bathroom math session. They too were experiencing math anxiety. Nancy kept track of time and made up for it at the end of her schedule.

Those minutes discussing math problems made a world of difference for those students. Of course, this doesn't compare to the daily help Ramirez gave to Perez, but it is an example of how an ESP can make a difference.

Unforgettable

I have often underestimated the impact ESP can have on children. Several years ago, I created a poster for American Education Week, which is held every November. It displayed an inmate sitting inside a prison cell with the caption, "Some places don't require a good education."

My local Association printed and distributed copies of the poster to schools and businesses. I received several comments about it, but I never thought it would make a difference in a child's life.

Earlier this month, I was going through the checkout lane of a grocery store. The clerk asked if I still worked at the elementary school. She was a former student and told me how she would never forget that poster. She said she wanted to get an education and not end up like that man in prison.

At the end of the school day, ESP are tired. Yet, the day is not over. After work, most of us have families that also need our time and attention. It’s not easy to go the extra mile at school, but as the saying goes, "No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child."

(Dave Arnold, a member of the Illinois Education Association, is head custodian at Brownstown Elementary School in Southern Illinois.)

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NEA or its affiliates.