I recently appeared on the “Ed Talk” podcast to discuss my new book More Than Just Support Staff and while preparing mentally, I expanded the topic outside of the field of Education.

In hospitals, rarely do we think of the individuals who clean and sanitize trauma rooms after they  are utilized to save lives.  We often do not think of the people who take out the trash that contains bio hazardous material.  Instead, we see medical personnel working in extremely clean environments without taking a moment to give a nod to the “support staff” who do the dirty work behind the scenes.

The same can really be said about any profession.  There are paralegals, office personnel, and yes, night custodians that make a law office run.

Restaurants are also another prime example.  We tip the waitresses and tell them thank you often, but we so often forget the dishwashers and meal prep assigned that goes on where we cannot see as we dine on our food.

“Support staff” are really in most professions and it would not be hard to find someone who plays a major role yet gets minimal credit publicly and schools are no different.

Think about your school, or your child’s school, and immediately you visualize a teacher or administrator.  In your mind, you can hear them and they give advice or help  in some way.  They are the people out in front in the eye of the public, yet there are many real heroes working just as hard behind the scenes and often for less pay helping the school building run as well as it does.

People like office managers, registrars, and school aides.  Others who are in student health services or assist with special education to ensure that all students receive the help and “support” they  are entitled to. Bus drivers and custodians, and let’s not forget the facilities and grounds crews who complete manual labor to enhance the school campus for all of us to enjoy.  

Any of these staff members that work with children have the ability to change lives as much as anyone else.  They can build relationships, provide a safe space, ensure that kids are fed and ready for the day, or keep students safe in various forms.  They “support” children and schools  more that we see unless we are willing to examine all that they do during the course of a day. 

In the end, we often do not pay homage to the ones who work tirelessly behind the scenes, doing the jobs many others would not want to do, for little to no recognition.  

We need to take a moment, and probably many moments, to say “thank you” to the ones who we rarely see.  All administrators should know that when support staff is not in the building, the day could become very challenging for various reasons.  Further, everyone who works within a school building, or really any building, should take time to seek out and recognize those who “support” the mission.

I submit a challenge to any readers,  The next time you are in a restaurant, or a hospital, or really any place of business, look around and seek those who are not often seen, then say “thank you” on behalf of those that value what they do.  In all likelihood, much like many of the individuals in schools doing the work in the trenches, they are “more than ‘just’ support staff” to many people.  It is even possible they could be someone’s hero.