Patrick Smiley, the school sanitary engineer / janitor at East Ridge Elementary, has been nominated for the Excellence in Education award.
ABOUT THE FINALISTPatrick SmileyAge: 33Years at school: East Ridge ElementaryYears in education: 14 yearsEducation: Howard, 1997; Tennessee Carpentry Union, 2002; Miller-Motte, massage therapy, 2005.Family: Two children, Tmetrius, 7; Treyvious, 5.”He’s the one person that can connect to everybody in the school, from students to faculty and staff.” – Jennifer Rimback, East Ridge Elementary School CounselorFUN FACTSmiley is a licensed carpenter and massage therapist.
Patrick Smiley wakes up at 4:30 each morning and arrives to do his daily duties at East Ridge Elementary School. From the time he walks in the door at 6 a.m., he has no clue what those responsibilities might end up including.
But the best part is, at the end of the day, he’s just doing what he’s always wanted to do – work with kids.
“I just appreciate that I’m able to come in and work with kids,” Smiley, the school’s janitor, said. “That’s what keeps me going – the kids and staff, and making sure they’re safe.”
It’s a job he doesn’t take for granted. He is often seen around the school settling disagreements between students, joking with kids and staff alike, while always being around if one of the students has a problem.