I’m currently working as a custodian for The Denver School of the Arts. I’ve been chronicling my experiences through social media and this blog post. I put a lot of my own complaints and frustrations down, primarily to accurately portray my true experiences. No filter. There are good days of course. One day, this could be sort of a memoir.
I refer to myself as The Teal Fairy because this is a character that I’ve created. I hope to one day write about The Teal Fairy going back to school to protect those that have the potential to grow and flourish. Schools need more fairies over firearms to ensure the safety of the youth. I also use The Teal Fairy persona as my way of expressing myself creatively outside of the written word.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Summer Blog: Day Three Hundred & Ninety-four through Four Hundred & Thirty-four
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make a weekly blog post for the summer. The work in the summer is much different than when school is in session. So, I didn’t believe that I should document the experience the same. So instead of posting the weekly blogs, I decided to keep a log for myself and make one large posting at the end of the summer session. Mostly because I thought I would leave the menial complaints for a long post versus forty smaller ones that basically say the same thing over and over again.
To start I don’t have that many complaints compared to other years. We had air conditioning throughout the entire season. June was exceptionally hot so I needed the blast of cool air as we moved furniture from each classroom into the hallways. So that we could scrub the room from top to trim. Yes, if you didn’t know custodians spend the entire summer deep cleaning the rooms and hallways from ceiling to floor. It’s a grueling process that starts the moment that we don’t have students until we have faculty back in the building.
It all begins with the lockers. The rows and rows of black metal compartments that are used scrupulously by the students are void of any items left behind from the end of the semester. We then scrape any tape, stickers, or substances secured with adhesive. Quite a nuisance really, but each locker is supposed to be free and clear of such decals. Finally, we wipe clean any fingerprints or other residues left behind from the minors. It takes days since there are upper and lower lockers on both first and second floors. At least we don’t have to worry about any similar compartments in the basement.
Speaking of the basement, that’s where we started first. We began to clear, scrub, and strip the floors of the rooms with tile. As soon as they were cleaned we waxed the floors to a beautiful gleam. I love how the floors look. It’s like glass. Sadly the sheen only lasts for a few weeks as the traction from the children’s shoes slowly deteriorates the luxurious luster. We then move to the carpeted rooms. There’s not that many spaces in the basement, but we were advised to do them first.
While half of the crew worked at DSA the rest of the crew went to work at the elementary school a quarter of a mile west on Montview. Generally, we’ve had a summer camp at the elementary school and we aren’t able to work on half of the building until that camp is complete. However, there was some sort of conflict with our administrators and the organizers of the camp. So, we didn’t have to compete with their activities and our own. We were separated to simultaneously complete the buildings’ tasks with minimal fuss.
Though the elementary school was free of programs. DSA was reserved for educational programs in June and July. Achieving Excellence Academy (AEA) was the first. AEA’s Mission is to serve as an immersive 4-week cultural identity and ethnic studies program on Black/African-American, Latinx, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, & Native American/Indigenous experiences and ancestral histories. They provide a safe space to unpack and explore varied racial, social, historic, and modern civic complexities facing marginalized populations and communities in the Twenty-first Century. The AEA is a purposeful program to address current efforts to strengthen student achievement, elevate student voices, and to provide the encouragement and support students’ need to grow their cultural and racial identities and understandings.
The AEA envisions a future where marginalized identities, and their attributes and talents are regularly celebrated. The AEA cultural summer program is one opportunity for students to develop within community, to see themselves in the curriculum, and to be represented in the faces of other students, teachers and leaders. The AEA creates the conditions for students to express pride in their cultural and racial identities, gain a sense of belonging, and receive the support needed to become agents of cultural change - taking their learnings into every school community, building, and classroom across the district.
The organizers are kind and I do believe their purpose is important, however, they completely overrun the school while they are inhabiting our space while we are trying to clean. So many times they need something or another, which the answer can sometimes be no. In fact, they needed laptops, which is beyond the scope of a custodian. So, to fulfill their needs we had to bring in our technology coordinator. Which ended up costing the program overtime for that employee. Actually, they had to pay my overtime on their first day of orientation. It was a total cluster of communication errors. We were told that they would be leaving by 5pm. However, their event lasted until 8pm. Thus, I received a few hours of overtime. It was a bit frustrating because I didn’t know about it. I found out because the security guard told me how late they were staying. It also irritated my boss because we weren’t approved for overtime.
This wasn’t the only time that I received overtime unexpectedly. The theater students and faculty needed to use the space because the cast of Kinky Boots was going to Nationals to compete with other high schoolers in Illinois. Well, since everything was last minute as it always is, I was asked to stay late one night. I received an extra six hours to sit around and wait. Well, I still tried to perform some tasks, it reminded me how much I despise people during performances. I thought I could clean the bathrooms since I unlocked the main bathrooms closest to the performance hall. However, the buffoons always try to use the student bathrooms because we don’t have better signage to point people to the large facilities. Seriously, while I was cleaning people kept trying to come and use the toilets. Like how do you not see me and my big yellow cleaning machine that is as loud as a rhinoceros. Anyway, I survived a night of overtime. At least on this night I was given at least twenty-four hours to plan for a long night at DSA.
I also volunteered for some overtime during July because this fairy has been overspending for a few too many months. I don’t always get a chance to get extra hours, so when the opportunity arises I try to capture the additional pay if possible. Since we have so many floors to scrub and wax, the team was offered a chance to work on the weekends. I already had plans for Sundays, but I was willing to come to work at six in the morning on a few Saturdays for time and a half. It was a lot of work, but there was a sense of accomplishment. To properly fulfill a set of tasks without interruption brings forth a level of satisfaction.
When my boss feels satisfied with our performance, he provides a thank you on our behalf. One of the greatest perks about summer is that my boss will host BBQs on Fridays. It’s not every Friday, but many Fridays throughout the summer will be used to have a thank you BBQ. They aren’t fancy, most of the time it’s just hot dogs and burgers. Sometimes, we get to leave early. Many times, we aren’t asked to work hard after the fact. So we don’t. It’s a wonderful reprieve after a long week.
That wasn’t the case when we had our second program. It was a conference for art teachers from all across the country. They were only going to be in the building for three days, however, they required a lot of assistance from our team. We were quite busy, but they didn’t express their needs until they were in the building. So, they monopolized the time of four custodians to move chairs, tables, easeles, and any other components to ensure their program went smoothly. I unfortunately wasn’t apart of that mess. Though, I wasn’t absent from their meddlesome needs. I was on break when I was asked to assist in moving some chairs from one part of the building to another. I didn’t mind and I could use the dolly to fulfill this request. However, as I was going to grab what they asked I was then told to move a set of chairs to the basement. This was contradictory to the first task that was asked upon me. It annoyed me that I wasn’t asked but I was told. I’m sorry, but my duties do not include the demands and whims of volunteers. I also don’t appreciate being told rather than asked when I already have tasks to complete. It ended up being fine, but I became indigent to those that don’t respect my time.
We actually had issues with this group in another way. It’s actually quite embarrassing. We were told by our principal that the organizer would like to invite us to lunch for the rest of the week. The person in charge said that they over ordered and wanted to thank our team for our help. Thus, we were specifically told to get lunch before the rush of those attending the conference. Well, when it came down to it we were snubbed by the person in charge of the food. I’m not sure that her intent was to be rude, but she was. We were told that each sandwich was accounted for and was specifically ordered by an attendee. It made me feel like some sort of scavenger scraping for crumbs. When the organizer heard of the snub she was extremely apologetic. However, in my mind the dead had been done. The following day it was a similar situation. We were allowed to get food, but it felt soured. It also didn’t help that they would then scoop up the remaining sandwiches and hoard them away from us. Then, before they would leave they’d offer them back to us after they’ve been sitting unrefrigerated for hours. How absolutely gracious! I’m a creature that always appreciates a free meal, but don’t make me feel guilty for wanting food when there is an excess. Especially if you are just going to throw it away.
I might be a little sensitive because I don’t like the summer. I don’t like the temperatures and the work is so grueling. So, when I have to interact with other people I become more and more indigent. This also includes working with my fellow teammates. No one is actively rude, but I’m obsessive compulsive. I’m narcotic as well. I like things a certain way and I want to have access to all of the tools needed to complete my job. What I don’t want to deal with is my boss coming in behind me and telling me the work was subpar. So, I get quite frustrated when I’m having to be the quality assurance person over my fellow colleagues.
Over and over again I had to go out searching for more supplies so we could clean properly. I also had to remind them over and over again over small details. Things like ensuring that all of the trash cans were cleaned and were lined with fresh trash bags. This got old after the fifth time that I had to say this. Too many times I’m having to be the lead in a way that I don’t want to be. I’m not being paid as a supervisor, yet I have to act as a leader. My boss is appreciative, but I’d prefer the appreciation be dealt with funds rather than flattery.
I say that and of course I was given a small raise this summer. Well, every current employee was given a financial raise. It’s much appreciated as I remember when I first started. I was barely making it then. Since, I’ve received a six dollar raise. It’s odd though because there are so many other jobs that pay less than this job. I need all the cents that I can get because this fairy has a spending problem.
Seriously, I keep spending money as if I’m making much more than I currently make. I don’t think it’s necessarily interesting, but I’m trying to find a way to afford my spending habits. I like to buy things on Amazon and gosh do I love to order in food. However, a custodian is not a Rockefeller. I’ve made so much more money in the past, except I can’t be a fairy and also be financially secure apparently.
I think that’s why I lean into The Teal Fairy aesthetic fully. When I can’t sleep at night you see, I’m figuring out looks and outfits. I’m even planning to go full teal for the first week of school. It’s time to make a new set of overalls. I’m planning to mix three different box dyes to get the color I most desire…dark teal. So, I’ll be using teal, royal blue, and dark green. It’s not a cheap process, but I’m looking forward to it. My current pair are literally falling apart. I’ve mended and sewn up these so much that I’m surprised they haven’t just ripped from crotch to rear end every time that I’ve bent over. I’m also planning to paint my beard teal. I won’t bleach and dye my beard because it’s too pretty naturally. However, I have some colored hair chalk that works really well. I’ll paint it Tuesday and give myself a whole fabulous updo to mark the beginning of the new year. If I’m going to be The Teal Fairy at the Denver School of the Arts then let’s be The TEALEST Fairy that has ever existed.
I’ve also already started with my appearance since I’ve been at the elementary school. Since I’m back to my normal hours I thought it would be appropriate to add some eyeshadow and lashes. I couldn’t help myself. I look at my reflection and I feel like something is missing. Color and an air of glamor is needed to help propel me towards the job. When there is faculty and students I’d prefer that they see the fairy rather than the fellow.
I know so many people struggle everyday, but I struggled so much throughout the summer. I struggled with the early hours. I’m used to working nights and that’s what I prefer. Waking up at 5am is such a struggle. I struggled to stay focused on my creative endeavors. I worked so hard during the day that when I got home I didn’t have the mental capacity to write anything creative. Most of the time I would fall asleep. I also don’t have air conditioning so my apartment was warm, which only brought on fatigue. I struggled with my overspending. When I had the chance to go have a cocktail I did which usually led to ordering takeout. All things that I can’t really afford. The only time that I don’t feel like I struggled was when it came to carpet shampooing.
Yeah, I’m a weirdo and that was my only happy time. I got really good at the task and my boss encouraged that I continue doing it. Since my performance ensured that no one would have to run the machine after me. I’m quite proficient. This was my time that I would also watch documentaries. I’d multitask! I could place my phone on the control panel of the machine while I cleaned a row at a time. I’d put on a streaming channel so I could catch up on my docuseries and documentary movies. I have to shampoo at such a slow pace this was my time to watch something that required attention. The process of shampooing carpets is so menial that I would use my time to be educated by filmmakers. I felt more intellectual afterwards.
I was grateful for those times because I had a hard time immersing myself into audiobooks. I would still absorb my podcasts, but too many times I would have to stop listening to what I was listening to answer questions or talk to someone. It didn’t allow me to fully escape into a novel or a series. Many times, I was daydreaming about something else and I couldn’t release myself into the writings of another author.
If you weren’t aware, I’m actively trying to find another job. It’s not that this job is a bad one, but I feel that I’m over qualified and I still have the potential to make more money. However, I haven’t had much luck finding other employment. I didn’t want to work another summer, but when I got my vacation approved for August. I resolved to the fact that perhaps I will stay and stick it out one more season.
The vacation was great and one of my favorite aspects about my job is being paid for not having to show up. Seriously, it’s the best! Well the moment that I’ve been back I’ve been annoyed by the whole disfunction of it all. I had to work three days at the elementary school and because my bosses are being stretched too thinly I’m only getting about half of the details that I need to properly perform my job.
I also don’t like working at the elementary school. I’m not as familiar with the space as I am with DSA and I’d prefer middle schoolers to elementary students any day. At the least the older children flush the toilets. I also wasn’t told when school was starting at that institution. Wouldn’t the be pertinent information to tell someone? I at least get to spend the last two days before school starts in my area and prepare my space for the influx of students next week. I’m not sure that I’m looking forward to another school year, but I definitely received a nice welcome when I entered the school.
Since I had been at the other school at the beginning of the week, the faculty at DSA were worried that I wasn’t here at all. No no, that’s not the case. There is a sense of community here at DSA. Some leave and some stay, but at the end of the day I know that I’m appreciated and recognized. What other custodians receive such accolade? I survived the summer, now it’s time to be the tealest that I can be!
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