Often working behind the scenes, there are over 350 individuals who support the 49 schools, numerous district buildings, athletics centers, and stadiums.
On School Custodian Appreciation Day, Richardson ISD celebrates and appreciates the district staff who keep our schools and events clean, clear, and running smoothly.
Our custodians are more than the people who keep our buildings clean; they work to make sure classrooms are ready for learning and events are welcoming, from family nights, PTA meetings, athletics events, to graduation ceremonies. They are on call 24/7 in case of an emergency, and often, are among the first smiling faces a student and teacher see when they arrive at school.
The culture of service is modeled by the district’s custodial leadership team, six district supervisors and four high school supervisors, led by Operations Manager Anabel Ramos. Ramos began her career 32 years ago as a custodian at White Rock Elementary and worked her way up to her current role. She often tells her staff, “No matter what you do in life, do it well.” With an average of 20 years of service each, the supervisors foster a spirit of growth, teamwork, and family. They go above and beyond for their teams, helping with everything from translating at doctors’ appointments to supporting employees’ children with college applications.
The average years in the district for the supervisors is 20 years, and their commitment to the team didn’t happen by accident. Their leadership models a mindset of servant leadership and people first, and keeps staff motivated to show up every day and go the extra mile. Ramos shares that they’ve become like a family, and supervisors have helped their custodial staff by being translators at doctors’ appointments, learning English, and helping them fill out college applications for their children.
Many custodians have served RISD for decades, watching kids grow up. They come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but all share a commitment to students and staff. The following two custodians are just a couple of the smiling faces the students have come to know and love.
Ms. Aldrete has spent most of her 23 years in the district at Lake Highlands Elementary. She moved from Mexico with her young son, neither speaking any English at the time. The staff immediately welcomed them in as part of the family. Her smile brightens the room, and her pride in caring for the school shows everywhere. She fondly remembers the staff helping her navigate the education system and helping her son apply to college. He has since graduated from RISD, become an attorney in the medical field, and is returning to work at UT Dallas. Ms. Aldrete says it feels like she just started working yesterday, because she still loves coming to work every day.
Ms. Ha, known affectionately as the Queen of Clean at Richland Elementary, recently retired after 11 years with the district. The students and staff celebrated her last day of work before retirement, and she was the heart and soul of RLE. Everyone who meets Ms. Ha immediately falls in love with her energy, positivity, and kindness. She not only keeps the school spotless, but she also cares deeply for every student and staff member, selflessly giving her time and heart without ever expecting anything in return. Ms. Ha moved to the Dallas area with her family from Vietnam in 2008 and is a proud parent of two children.
