By Vinnie Liu
Everyday at school we see familiar faces, but rarely do we get a chance to get to know them. I sat down with Michelle Simms, LaKeysha Thomas, Jonathan Wilson, and Irvin Lawrence–four of Lusher’s Freret campus support staff members–and asked them a few questions about their daily lives.
Custodian Supervisor Michelle Simms
Michelle Simms, known at Lusher as Ms. Michelle, is the campus’ custodian supervisor. A typical day for her involves taking care of the building. She considers the best parts of her job to be disinfecting, cleaning, and sanitizing–a task that is very clearly essential to everyone’s safety these days. “Lusher’s a fun place to work,” Simms said. One of the most challenging things about her work, she says, is not being able to fulfill a request made to her by a teacher or student. In her spare time, Simms likes spending time with family.
Custodian LaKeysha Thomas
LaKeysha Thomas, also known as or Ms. LaKeysha, is a custodian at Lusher. Thomas says a typical day at Lusher is busy for her. She says she likes everything about her job. She commented, “Working with the kids, watching them grow up and graduate,” Thomas says, is her favorite part of working at Lusher. On her days off, Thomas says she likes to stay at home and watch TV.
Custodian Johnathan Wilson
Johnathan Wilson, known as Mr. Jonathan, is a custodian here at Lusher. He describes a typical day at Lusher for him as “an amusement park.” “Working with kids [and], keeping them motivated,” Wilson says, is his favorite part of his job. The most challenging part of his job? “Getting to the campus in the early hours of the morning to start my shift.” In his free time, Wilson likes to relax and cook. Wilson started getting donations for the mass quantities of food he cooks, which he gives to the homeless and people who ask for it. “Cooking is something I like to do.”
Building Maintenance Irvin Lawrence
Irvin Lawrence, otherwise known as Mr. Irvin, likes to say his job as building maintenance at both Lusher campuses is “a skilled craft.” A typical day for him is busy working all around between Freret and Willow Streets. Lawrence’s favorite part of his job is showing up and coming to work, just being there. When asked what the most challenging part of his job is, Lawrence replied, “Keeping stuff fixed.” In his free time, Lawrence sits down and watches TV.
