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.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
