Michael Salisbury is a bear of a man who has to stoop to hug students at Johnnycake Elementary School, many of whom throw thin arms up around his belly on a daily basis.
Besides the hugs, there are kind greetings.
"I love you, Mr. Salisbury." "Thank you, Mr. Salisbury." "Good morning, Mr. Salisbury."
It's all in a day's work for Salisbury, the chief custodian at Johnnycake, in Westview Park in Baltimore County.
"I'm just a person who cares," says Salisbury, a bashful man who grew up in Bolton Hill and followed his father into the janitorial business. "It's in me all the time. I love the kids and the teachers. It's just a part of me."
Salisbury has been a custodian for about 14 years - the last six at Johnnycake. Before that, he worked at Winfield Elementary, where he started a mentoring program that has earned him praise.
Last week, Salisbury was saluted at a gala dinner given by state Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick for his work with minority students. Statewide, 54 educators and community members were recognized. Salisbury was so excited he laid out his suit the morning before. He was accompanied by his wife, Lynette, and his sons, Michael Jr., 14, and Brian, 9.
Salisbury, 43, was the only school employee from Baltimore County and the only custodian honored. But he's quick to point out, as are his fans, that teachers aren't the only ones who mold the minds and attitudes of pupils.
"I'm sure other custodians do the same thing in their schools," says Salisbury, who is known around the county as a leader in cleanliness and building management. "It's hard for the teachers sometimes. Some classes are large and some of the kids get lost. They get in trouble. They get angry and mad."
More often than not, those children become "Mr. Salisbury's kids." More often than not, Salisbury turns those children around.
He's not sure how he does it. But somehow, his method of easy chit-chat, encouraging pats and energetic high-fives works. "I get interested in them," he says, leaning on the handle of a dust mop in a hall aglow with morning sunshine. "I try to get inside their heads. They trust me."
Children respect Salisbury, too. Respect is a golden commodity in schools today, where teachers struggle to set rules for students, many of whom are emotionally needy and lack positive role models.
Salisbury's strong character has helped build that respect, said Principal Jean A. Brewster, who along with other staff and students nominated the custodian for the state's Excellence for Minority Achievement award.
"He has tremendous integrity, honesty and compassion and that comes through in everything he does," says Brewster. "He helps students build self-esteem and teaches them how to be really responsible citizens. He talks with them about their grades and follows up with them."
Salisbury works most often with boys. "Sometimes, they don't have a man in their life and to have a man help them out really makes a difference," says Brewster. "They want to live up to Mr. Salisbury's high expectations. They don't want to let him down."
That seems to be the case with Edward Harris, 11, a former pupil at Johnnycake whom Salisbury took under his wing last school year.
At that time, the boy was unruly and unmotivated. "I used to argue and fight," says Edward, who now attends Southwest Academy Middle School and who visited Salisbury recently. "Mr. Salisbury told me that fighting doesn't solve anything."
By the end of the school year, Edward had turned around his grades and his attitude and was selected as the "Most Improved Fifth-Grader" by his principal.
"I don't know how he does it," said Catherine Holt, the school's counselor. "I keep telling him he should go back to school and get his [counseling] degree."
Salisbury has been offered several opportunities for advancement - including promotions to custodial jobs at middle and high schools, The jobs pay more, but he has declined so far.
Johnnycake has taken some positive turns recently. A six-room addition is expected to be completed in the spring. Reading programs are boosting test scores. A new shipment of Dell computers arrived last week.
All this makes Salisbury smile because he knows his hard work- his homework tutorials, report card conferences and tough-love talks - are paying off.
