When I walked into school today for my first day on the job, I never imagined the feeling I would have when I headed home this afternoon. After learning where the janitorial supplies were kept, I swept the floors and cleaned the bathrooms just like I did on my previous job.

Around lunchtime, I hear on the loudspeaker that every teacher and staff member is to report to the main office before leaving school today. I briefly question if that would include me since I had only been there for ten hours, but I want to be sure I am following all orders.

I can't ever remember receiving a gift when it was not my birthday or Christmas. The office assistant said that a volunteer brought in thank you gift bags for every member of the staff and that included me. As I placed the "You are appreciated" note on my refrigerator and savored a couple of high-end chocolates later that night, I knew I had the best job in the world.

I am going to tell you what I watched my friend do today... it's what I watch her do every single day. In the three years that I have known her she has not been absent one single day.

Her job title is listed as school custodian but she wears about ten other hats and still she manages to do it all with a smile on her face and the most wonderful sense of humor. In the hallway today she was cleaning up after a child that didn't quite make it to the bathroom but had perfect aim and timing as they managed to hit right in the center where four halls join in an area of the school during transition. Now you can tell 1st and 2nd graders to watch out but...yeah some well...they just didn't understand in time...

We actually had to shelter in place today for over an hour due to the weather. 5th graders who had been chugging water bottles were lined up and down the hall after we got the all clear ...through it all she kept her smile and addressed them with "how you doing baby?" "You having a good day?" Acknowledging each one of them...taking the time to talk to them as she mopped up their splashes from the sink area. Telling those with untied shoes to "tie those up baby." I have watched her tie so many shoes over the years.

As I walked in with my kids during lunch I overheard her telling some friends who had made some not so good choices that they are "better than this." When I came back to get my group I saw her cleaning down the long lines of tables. Ever see a cafeteria after 100 plus 5th graders had lunch? It's not pretty.

I swear she outworks ten people and seriously I have never her complain about anything. When I was leaving she was in one of the staff restrooms cleaning and still smiling telling me "have a good night my sweet." I just don't understand how some of the hardest working people who we would be so totally lost without don't earn what they should...she is priceless.

The midnight magician.

That's what the school calls me.

Who magically made the cafeteria clean following the Food Feud?

Who charmingly crammed hundreds of exams over Spring Break into one trashcan?

Who astoundingly aced attendance despite it all?

Not that anybody notices.

Stay after school to study and leave spellbound.

Stay to play pranks on the playground and find yourself cursed.

I may not be your teacher but I can read your mind.

I can hear how smart you think you are.

Who removed that gum from under your desk?

Who returned your missing ID back into your locker?

Call me a mad man.

That's what all the students call me.

The midnight magician.

That's what the school calls me.