Don Spring, head custodian at Independence Elementary, won a Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award from Oakland County School Board.
Why does he deserve such an honor? A group of Independence Elementary second-graders had some answers.
‘He’s cool!?
‘He’s really good at his job.?
‘He’s very friendly. Very funny.?
‘He’s really good at mopping the gym floor.?
‘He mopped my face once!?
‘He likes kids.?
‘Sometimes he wears a crown.?
He wore a crown exactly once, when his award was announced at a school-wide meeting a few weeks ago.
‘A couple students put a crown and cape on me, and they took a picture,? Spring explained.
Oakland County School Board Association selected Spring and two others out of 15 nominees for the award, which honors support staff for service beyond the call of duty.
‘It’s very exciting, very deserving,? said Principal Chris Turner. ‘The role he plays in this school goes well beyond what a typical custodian takes on. He’s very much a part of this school.?
‘I think he does a wonderful job,? said Pam Braunschweig, special education para educator. ‘He’s a mentor for the kids during lunch period. He makes them feel special.?
He started with Clarkston Community Schools as a night custodian at Springfield Plains Elementary about seven years ago. When the position of head custodian opened at Independence Elementary two years ago, he applied and got the job.
‘I love it. The atmosphere is great. I don’t feel like I come to a job. The kids make it fun,? Spring said. ‘I feel very special about getting it. It’s a great award.?
A colleague received it a few years ago and he attended the award ceremony.
‘I know how special it is, what it means,? he said. ‘I’m very humbled my colleagues and staff and students feel that way.?
Spring grew up attending Clarkston schools. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987-1992, including the first Gulf War.
‘I have family here. I have roots here. I love the area,? he said.
He and his wife, Sharon, have three children, Savannah, Madison, and Jack.
The award is named in honor of former Oakland Schools Board member Betty Campion, who served from 1978 to 1992. Nominations were made in February and winners announced April 2.
‘I was called into the principal’s office,? Spring said. ‘My mom (Christine McCleese) and the building secretary were there. I didn’t know why I was being called in. It was a shock.?
Spring and fellow recipients, Rosalie Burnett, paraeducator at Bowers Academy, Bloomfield Hills School District, and Randy Bockmiller, head custodian at Royal Oak High School, will be presented with plaques and checks for $250 at the June 18 Oakland County School Board Association meeting.
For more information, call 248-209-2317.