Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1419437
catching catching u p w i t h o u r custodians Cherish today because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Let the people you love know how much they mean to you. Our time together is too short – We have to love one another and do good in the world. What is a custodian? The term "custodian" means a person who has responsibility for or looks after something. In every school in our state, custodians play an integral part in ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and education employees learning and working in the buildings they maintain. Our custodians are Education Support Professionals (ESPs) who have the skills, knowledge, and training to keep our schools clean and safe, to keep our schools in good working order, and to provide their services with attentive care. They are members of our communities who have chosen their professions because they care about kids, their safety, and their well-being. Ask any custodian why they do this work, and you will invariably hear some version of: "These are my kids, one and all. I am here to make sure they have clean, safe learning spaces. Our kids know I care." WEA has many ESP members who are custodians – this is one of their stories: — Amado Saldaña Amado says the Golden Rule is his guiding principle–every student is someone's beloved child or grandchild. In addition to his job as a head custodian, like many ESPs in Wyoming, Amado has a second job. He also works for the Office of Human Development, caring for disabled and mentally challenged adults. For Amado, family and community are his priorities. Amado and his wife Lisa have been married for 31 years. Recently, they have sadly lost several family members under various circumstances. Amado says this brings a new perspective to each day and to his work. When asked what he wants to make sure readers of the WEA News learn from his experience, Amado says, "Cherish today because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Let the people you love know how much they mean to you. Our time together is too short – We have to love one another and do good in the world." Amado Saldaña's family came to Wyoming from Wisconsin as migrant workers when he was ten years old. He has worked in Torrington schools for 22 years, first as a paraprofessional, then as a custodian, and as the head custodian at Torrington Middle School for the past seven years. By: Elise Robillard Amado knows that his work is essential to student success. In maintaining a clean and safe school, students learn in a healthy environment. Amado interacts with students as he performs his custodial responsibilities, and many know they can come to him for support. It is not unusual for him to help kids with their homework. 20