For Dallas ISD custodian and family, the district is home

Maria Tamayo has built her legacy and found her home as lead custodian at Maria Moreno STEAM Academy, where she has worked for the last 28 years. Her children also have been part of the Dallas ISD legacy attending Moreno and later graduating from district schools.  

To recognize the hard work it takes to have the schools and facilities in tip top shape and bring awareness to the dedication of custodians like Tamayo, schools throughout the country celebrate National Custodian Day on Oct. 2. 

“When I arrive at my school every morning, I feel at home,” Tamayo said. “I like the staff, the community, and the kids. They are like my family, and I feel as if I’m arriving at my second home.” 

Tamayo said she is honored by the welcome she receives from everyone from students, cafeteria staff, administration, teachers, and other team members on a daily basis. What she likes most about her job is making sure the school is spotless and making it a space where children can feel safe. 

“It’s more than just doing a cleaning job,” she said. “It’s also giving  that sense of security to the children,” she said. “[The floors are] kind of my forte—stripping the floors, waxing them and making them look like mirrors.”

Before coming to the district nearly three decades ago, she worked in a restaurant long hours and weekends, which was not conducive to raising a family. She applied to work for the district on a Wednesday, and by Monday she was on the job. What Tamayo originally thought would be a temporary position turned into a permanent one. At the time, she was even pregnant with her youngest daughter. 

Tamayo started as a substitute custodian in the administration building’s previous location and was soon offered a permanent job at Moreno where she has stayed ever since. 

One of the driving forces for working for the district was her children. Tamayo could take her children to school, since they attended Moreno, and she felt her job was a better fit for the wellbeing of her family. What she didn’t anticipate was how much she was going to love her job – one that she takes pride in and where she has built lifelong friendships. 

In her years of work with the district, Tamayo said that one of the things that has helped her overcome challenging moments is to approach things with patience and dedication, as well as trusting herself and her abilities. 

“Everyone has difficulties. We have to leave our problems at the door once we are at work,” she said. “Children can sometimes go through challenges, but it’s up to us to be strong for them in order to provide them with a safe space.”

One of the Core 4 tenets that Tamayo lives by is Friendly: Make Memorable Moments. Students who have since graduated and now have children of their own who attend Moreno often go up to Tamayo and share their fond memories of her. 

“Sometimes, I see a student who looks like a former student, and then I realize the former student is now a parent,” she said.

Tamayo is a person with many talents and interests. She is an avid traveler, having visited different countries and continents. She also loves nature and outdoor activities, crocheting, cooking, and baking. She takes pride in her homemade tortillas, which she learned to make from her mother. Having her table filled with food, and gathering around the table with her grown children, and their families is one of the biggest joys of her life. 

She has worked with four principals who have been very supportive. Her biggest wish is to have a happy retirement and for one of her team members to take her position as lead custodian at the school. She also hopes to leave a lasting impression, a legacy. 

“When it’s someday time for me to retire, I want to leave on a beautiful note, to be remembered as the one who brought cookies, or had a word of encouragement, or offered a shoulder to lean on to team members. I want to be remembered as a kind person who cared for others,” she said.