Buddy Taylor Middle School custodian Ron Crowley was recently named "Rock Star Custodian." We sit down with this humble man to talk about a 27 career at a single school and why he feels he's got so much more to give to the students who walk those halls.
Buddy Taylor Middle School custodian Ron Crowley was recently named "Rock Star Custodian." We sit down with this humble man to talk about a 27 career at a single school and why he feels he's got so much more to give to the students who walk those halls.
For 27 years, 27 years he's gone to work at the same school. So don't even think about moving him away from his school. This is Focused on Flagler Schools and I'm Jason Wheeler, Community Information Specialist with Flagler Schools. We want to share the achievements and challenges facing our students, teachers and staff right here in Flagler County, Florida. So let's dive right in. We're joined this morning with Ron Crowley. He is a custodian at Buddy Taylor Middle School. He is also a rock star. He's a rock star custodian. We'll get more to that in a second. First of all, Ron, thanks for joining us today.
Ron Crowley:Thank you, sir. Thank you for having me.
Jason Wheeler:Real quick, your story. You've been here for a while, tell us how you got to Flagler Schools. How you got to Buddy Taylor Middle School. Just what what's your story?
Ron Crowley:Well, I was just looking for a job. And I heard that Buddy Taylor it was hiring. And I came one day and I came to see Mr. Jim Cote. And he interviewed me. And a couple of weeks later, I got hired.
Jason Wheeler:And that was how many years ago?
Ron Crowley:27 years. 27 years ago,
Jason Wheeler:27 years ago. Did you imagine you'd still be at the same school? Doing this job?
Ron Crowley:No, sir. I mean, when I got hired, I was really young. And I didn't think I was gonna last like three months. I looked around it was 27 years later. Yeah.
Jason Wheeler:Ha s been a long 27 or as a minute short 27 for you.
Ron Crowley:It's been a short 27, honestly short 27. A good short 27 years. Yeah.
Jason Wheeler:Your reaction to being nominated for Rockstar Custodian. Let everybody know this is a national organization. And they do this award. They've done it like the third or fourth year. And they take nominations from around the country. Kenny Seybold nominated you. You want to thank thank him, obviously. But your reaction to first being nominated for this.
Ron Crowley:My reaction? I was like, No way. They're gonna recognize me, Ron. I can't believe it. I would stop. I was just shocked.
Jason Wheeler:Okay, so you got nominated. Yes, sir. And then you became a finalist? Yes, sir. And that had been an even bigger shot.
Ron Crowley:Oh, my goodness. I mean, my blood pressure went up. I mean, just because I was just nominated. And I'm just so nervous and excited at the same time and thankful and,
Jason Wheeler:And then the next step, you win,
Ron Crowley:Yeah, the next step, I win. I was like, unbelievable. I can't believe it. I won. Ron Crowley slash two chain one. Number one Rockstar custodial. National, national. Do you know what that means, Ron? I was like, I had to think I had to get everything together and think. I won. I won. I was like a superstar. I really was like a superstar. And I felt like a superstar.
Jason Wheeler:And we spoke you know, when you when you were awarded? Yeah, it was they surprised you with everything. Your family was there and everything and students and administration and and you're just I'm just doing my job? Yes. And it's kind of you're you're still shell shocked, as I've been able to sink in just the outpouring of love, because in order for you to win this had this was a community wide vote, right online vote. And so it had to go beyond the walls of this school. Yes. I mean, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people you don't even know,
Ron Crowley:You're right. You're right, buddy for you. I
Jason Wheeler:And up. Kenny Seybold told me that he even had have people like in Miami, New York, Orlando, on Tampa, people who used to work with you have moved on. And they said, Oh, I know, Ron, I'm voting as many times as I can. I'm getting Ravensburg, Pennsylvania, I'm talking about everywhere. I have everybody I know to vote. So just looking back on those 20 people I have family members all over. They got friends, their These 27 years the impact you've had is Do you even think about friends, and just went and just went up and up and up. have you even had a chance to think about how you impact these students, these teachers these employees here?
Ron Crowley:No, not really, honestly. Not really. I'm, I'm scared to think I really am because I sit and think like, I've had positive impact on people. I just can't imagine me. I'm not putting myself down. But I have a positive influence on I'm talking about 100 Maybe 1000s of people. I have been here for 27 years. And students, I say students, they see me. They say, Mr. Ron, I haven't seen you in about 10 years. I voted for you. You deserve it. My kids go here, I'll say No way,I say tell your kids to introduce themselves to me. And then they say, Mr. Ron? My dad told me introduce you to me. And I said, what's their name? And then I was like, wow, they're kids, and then sometimes their grandkids. And I'm, I don't want to say my age. But I've been here for 27 years, and I've been.. generations. Generations. That's Wow.
Jason Wheeler:What is your key to longevity?
Ron Crowley:My key to longevity
Jason Wheeler:In this position? I mean, you obviously have a nice, you have a great disposition. And I don't think you get too high. Don't get too low, right. even keeled. But just what, what makes you get up in the morning and say, I'm ready for it again today,
Ron Crowley:The kids, the faculty and staff. Without the kids, I felt like a big part of me. As a whole, a big part of me in my heart won't be filled if I don't work at Buddy Taylor Middle School. I need to work at Buddy Taylor Middle School. The kids are great. I love the kids. And it just the kids.
Jason Wheeler:And that's my next question. You kind of get led into this. You got long, you've got seniority? Yes, you can be probably at any school, any facility you want to be at? Why Why stay here?
Ron Crowley:Why stay here? This is my home. Second home. This is my second home. I love it here. And I just I just love it here. And it's my second home. And I think I'm meant to be here. I am meant to be here.
Jason Wheeler:For you to be successful as you are. It's about relationships, I think, Yes. Speak a little bit about that. Just the relationships you have with the students with the staff and faculty because you're more than just a custodian. You're a mentor, you've done extracurricular stuff, you've, you've reached out to these kids. What, why is that relationship so important?
Ron Crowley:Well, I'm, I'm gonna push it back a little. When I was in school, I wasn't the best student, and always wanting a teacher or an adult, to help me because I was struggling in class. And I was a shy kid, and always wanting an adult to come in to help me. And they never, they never really did help me. So when I became a custodian, at Buddy Taylor, as I'm gonna do all I can, to anybody that's willing to listen to me, I'm going to try to encourage them. I'll try to get them as much help as I can. If I cannot help them, I'll go to Administration, and let them know that we have a student that needs help and etc, etc. Because, like I say, when I was in school, I was struggling, I did graduate, but I was struggling, I just needed a role model. I just needed an adult that loved me and cared for me to just help me go to the next level. So I see me honestly I see me in all the kids and I try to help as many kids as I can each and every day.
Jason Wheeler:In movies and TV shows whenever they have like a school setting and they have a school custodian that the school custodian is always an interesting character. I think because they see all they hear all yes. Is that true? I mean, it's that's true. You see everything you hear everything.
Ron Crowley:Yes. And I try to tell the kids in a positive way. You can't say that. I said your mom and dad hear what you're saying. You don't get in big trouble. So let's turn this around into positive as what do you need? I try to I try to tell them things so they can forget the negative thing things they talking about. And I try to stay some positive so we can get on the right page. You here to get education You know,
Jason Wheeler:In 27 years, you've seen changes here. I mean, just not only the physical building is the plant changes in students changes in the type of student what what students have to go through what teachers have to go through, what are some of the those changes you've experienced? And how have you? Have you been able to change with them?
Ron Crowley:Well, I can start with administration. Now, um, they they care what we think about the acts as Miss Cronk, she ascks. Mr. Bossardet, he asks what are your..What are your thoughts? And when he said, What are your thoughts? And I'm like, looking behind me like, is he? Who is he talking about? Who's he talking to? And what are you? What are your views? What are your thoughts? And I explained to him, and then I go back to my my staff. When nobody is not around. And I say Mr. Bossardet, asked me about my opinion, nobody ever did. Miss Cronk asked me about my opinion, or what do I think about nobody in administration never did that. So we matter. They love us, they think about us, we matter. And that that just did something to me. When administration asks you, the custodian department, what you think and how you feel? It matters. I love them for that.
Jason Wheeler:You've got a great staff here. A few of them have been here a while as well. Why is that? Is it because of you? Is it because you guys have a great rapport? You guys know each other? trust each other?
Ron Crowley:I hope it's because of me, I really do hope it's because of me. I mean, yeah, communication is the key. You know, this bay.
Jason Wheeler:And you said you wanted to say thanks to a few people, obviously, I'll give you the open floor. You've got the mic, Ron. Go for it.
Ron Crowley:I'm a little nervous. I give it all hang out. Um, I want to thank everyone that was involved allow me to be part of Flagler Schools podcast. I want to give a special shout out to my boss, Mr. Kenney Seybolt, Director of custodial services, he worked so hard getting everything together for me. Thank you so much, sir. I also want to thank Mr. David Thompson, director Academy of Cleaning Excellence for this incredible award. What does this means to me? For 27 years, I have been working in Buddy Taylor Middle School, I started out as a custodian moved up years later, as a day lead. Now I am a site manager. It means everything. My hard work, my dedication, my sweat, and tears, my focus my drive, being an undercover mentor, to all kids, my commitment, my expectation, and the love I have for the kids. It's about me trying my best to make sure every student I engage in understands education is the key. This award means this award makes me feel very proud, happy, overwhelmed. And this gives me validation and boosts my confidence. I am honored. Thank you all. To all the students, the ones that I know, the ones that know me, and the ones that heard about me on the radio station, news, Twitter, Facebook, etc, etc. When you leave to follow your dreams, please remember, the Buddy Taylor Middle School model. Bring your best. And treat everyone with respect. Model exceptional leadership, strive to reach your goals.
Jason Wheeler:That's awesome. Ron, I have two questions left, as the morning announcements go on behind us. First question is what makes you sad?
Ron Crowley:What really makes me say it makes you sad kids with bad grades makes me sad. So I try to win report cards come out. And I say I need to see your report card. In some kids, they show me a report got some don't. So well. If you don't show me your report card, I'm going to find out what kind of grades you get. And if I find that you're not getting good grades. Ummmm, we're going to work on it. I try to get you some extra credit who is your teacher? I tell them ask them who is the Teacher, the given teacher name, and then I don't really go and pursue it but I give them an opportunity to correct themselves, to make sure you know I get an opportunity to go and get extra credit so they can pull up the grades.
Jason Wheeler:And last question on the other side is what makes you happy.
Ron Crowley:Oh my god. Two things: when they graduate, when I see the parents, the grandparents and they call me and say a Mr. Ron, will you go to my graduation and I go to their graduation I see them smiling. I say you you do it. I say now this is a stepping stone you leaving Buddy Taylor and you go to FPC or one to another high school. Don't forget about me come back and visit. And most of the kids want me to go with them? I said no, I can't go I have to stay here. I have a lot of work to do at Buddy Taylor. I gotta stay here. And the next one is the AB honor roll. And joke a lot with the kids. And I tell the kids I said um, excuse me. I said you don't belong in cafeteria. I says AB honor roll party going on here. They say, Mr. Ron, I make straight A's. I say, oh sorry, my bad. And then the next student. I tell the same thing to another student I say excuse me this is an AB Honor Roll party. You don't belong here. And he says Mr. Ron, I make A's and B's. And that just just softens my heart. Yeah, yeah. It's bring tears to my eyes.
Jason Wheeler:Ron Crowley Rockstar, custodian, 27 years at Buddy Taylor Middle School. That's amazing. You're not even the one who has the most seniority here which is which is equally amazing. You are a special guy. We thank you for your dedication to these kids to this building to Flagler Schools and we congratulate you.
Ron Crowley:Thank you so much. Thank you.
Jason Wheeler:And we want to thank you for listening to focus on Flagler Schools production in the Flagler County Schools district. New episodes are released every other Thursday. If you like what you hear, subscribe. And check out Flagler Schools at www.FlaglerSchools.com or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We're there at Flagler Schools. Thanks for listening and remember, let's keep Focused on Flagler Schools.