This Missouri school was renamed after its much-loved and dedicated custodian. Most schools want to pick regal, respected names pulled from their small-town history books. They want something that reflects who they are in academics and in the community. But the heartbeat of this school wasn’t found in the history books or on the streets. For decades, the steady beat of the school was their janitor, Claudene Wilson.
For over 30 years, Claudene served as more than just the custodian. She was a bus driver, landscaper, and greeter, and above all, she nurtured every student. She poured her heart and soul into the school, often working 13-hour days filled with leaking faucets, driving students to and from their homes, serving meals in the cafeteria, and hugging kids on more than one occasion.
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To the kids, Claudene was someone they trusted with scraped knees, having a bad day at school, or whatever else they needed comfort for. She wasn’t just someone who mopped the floors, she was someone they ran to when they had a tough morning or wanted to share exciting news.
The school board President Chuck Boren said, “That’s what makes Claudene what she is. These kids get sick, you think they go to the nurse to start with? They go to her. If they had a bad night, they go to her. And she’s there for each and every one of them.”
When the small town school began the process of renaming the school, they mauled over famous Missouri natives and national figures that would inspire high achievements in the kids. But they realized after 30 years of dedicated service, the school should be named after the heart of the school. They named it “The Claudene Wilson Learning Center.” After all, if you want to inspire the world to make a difference in the heart of the community, it starts with those who are doing the work the way Claudene did.
One teacher who still remembers when Claudene encouraged him as a young student by giving him a thumbs up, Jacob Miller said, “It’s awesome that someone that’s been here, spent their whole life, for 30 years working at one place and having all those connections mean something.”
Claudene was humbled to see her name in bold letters across the front of the building, where she poured her heart and soul. Although she said, “It touches your heart, but I don’t think my name needs to be up in a building somewhere,” her community disagrees.
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Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
h/t: Good News Network
Photo Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News