How one Birmingham custodian preps for the first day of school
Jacqulene Heggler is a seasoned custodian at Bush Hills STEAM Academy in Birmingham. Along with cleaning she also designs bulletin boards around the school.
It’s common knowledge at Bush Hills STEAM Academy in Birmingham that if you need anything, ask Jacqulene Heggler. She’s usually seen walking the halls with a Pepsi in her hand, a quick word of wisdom and a t-shirt that reads “Ms. Jackie” on the back in big bold letters.
Birmingham City Schools welcomed students back Monday. But when the kids are out playing in the sun and teachers get a much-needed break in the summer, Heggler said custodians and maintenance staff are renovating and refreshing schools for the first day of school. It’s a day Heggler looks forward to.
“The big test is gonna be Monday when the little darlings come in,” she said. “That’s gonna be [full of] excitement.”
During the summer, Heggler and the custodial team move all the furniture from over 30 classrooms, then strip the floors. Then they wax them, let them dry, and clean and move all the furniture back in. They repeat the process for the halls, scrape gum off the gym floor, vacuum the carpets and deep clean the bathrooms.
“It’s hard work,” Heggler said. “But I love it.”
When students walked in on the first day, they were greeted by freshly-waxed shiny floors, colorful bulletin boards designed by Heggler and the smell of citrus Pine Sol, courtesy of the custodial team. It’s a point of pride for Heggler.
“I really just like to see the expression on people’s faces when they come in and they say, ‘Ooh! You all have a nice school! Ooh! Your school is so clean and it smells fresh.’ Now I love to hear people when they say that,” she said.
But she said she sees her role in the school as more than someone who cleans. She also looks after the students because she loves them.
She said sometimes she may have to reprimand the middle schoolers at Bush Hills for playing in the soap or running in the halls, but at the end of the day they’re her kids.
“I consider myself [in] like a mama role or a grandmama role to the children really,” Heggler said.“ They’re really some sweet children. And once you get to know them you’ll love them.”
At 66 years old, Heggler has worked as a custodian for half of her life. She said she’s thinking about retirement, but for now, she’ll continue working to keep students healthy and happy.
Kyra Miles is a Report for America corps member reporting on education for WBHM.
Democrats invited Republicans to a town hall. Here’s what happened
Imagine getting an invitation to a town hall from someone across the political aisle. That was the idea behind a recent event sponsored by the Calhoun County Democratic Committee. They asked their members to invite Republican friends in an effort to bridge the divide.
Anglican Church Archbishop accused of sexual misconduct
Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church of North America, faces of sexual harassment allegations. This marks the latest in a string of crises to rock the small, conservative denomination.
NBA coach Chauncey Billups, player Terry Rozier arrested in FBI gambling probe
Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, was investigated by the NBA in 2023 in connection with suspicious gambling activity on a game that he exited early.
Its the deadliest year for ICE in decades. As detentions rise, the trend may continue
There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.
In an era of techno-dystopia, Sudan Archives’ ‘The BPM’ imagines a liberated future
On her stunning new album The BPM, the multi-instrumentalist Sudan Archives explores the freedom of augmented reality and technology through the sounds of club music.
Families describe deaths, violence in Alabama prisons as they push for change
Family members of people incarcerated in Alabama prisons packed a Wednesday meeting of the Legislative Prison Committee and then held a rally on the steps of the Capitol.