Mr. Strong Man lifts kids’ spirits
- Javier Marquez stops into the Washington Elementary CDC classroom to talk to students during work. Photo
When Javier Marquez stepped into a classroom at Washington Elementary School in Redondo Beach one recent Friday, children abandoned their coloring books and crayons and bombarded him with smiles, hugs, high-fives and questions.
“Mr. Strong Man! Why are you sweating?” one first-grader asked.
“Because I was working hard!” Marquez playfully responded.
It was a nice day at Washington Elementary School; the campus appeared vacant, with just one summer class in session. However, still in sight was Marquez, the school custodian, who was moving heavy tables out of the auditorium with a broad smile.
“He is always looking for ways to make Washington shine,” said Principal Jackie O’Sullivan, in a statement. “Washington School is spotless everywhere you look, there are signs of the care and commitment Javier has for his job.”
On June 12, Marquez, 49, was awarded Classified Staff Member of the Year by the Redondo Beach Unified School District School Board. Prior to being a custodian, Marquez worked as a machinist and ran his own shop in Carson for 17 years. When his company shut down, he took a job as a custodian at Washington; he also owns and operates his own restaurant, Cougars, in El Segundo.
Staff members praised him for the impact he’s had in his six years working for the school.
“Your hard work, dedication, and great attitude make Washington an amazing place to be,” said Washington teacher Tamara Camacho, in a statement. “We cannot thank you enough for the way you always go above and beyond what is expected of you.”
When asked about his favorite part of his job, he was quick to answer. “Washington is wonderful,” Marquez said. “I love everything—the staff, our principal, she is amazing. But I really enjoy the kids the most. I love talking with them. They are so funny.”
A hand-painted photo of Marquez hangs on the wall of the front office at Washington Elementary. Photo
In the front office, a student’s drawing of Marquez hangs on the wall. Above the drawing is the student’s handwritten praise, rife with spelling errors. “Mr. Javier clens my scol. He keeps my klosrom klen,” the student wrote.
Children have crowned Marquez with the endearing nickname “Mr. Strong Man,” and some staff members call him “Javie.”
Marquez said that he genuinely loves his job, and looks forward to coming into work each day. “I am so happy to be a part of this family at Washington,” he said.
During lunch, he can be seen kicking a soccer ball or jumping rope with the kids, or consoling a student who has been “benched” for recess, O’Sullivan said. Students run up and chat with Marquez every time they see him on campus, and often even ask if they can help him clean up the school, she added.
When asked about these stories, Marquez nodded shyly. But O’Sullivan was quick to rave about Marquez herself. “Javier always smiles and does all the extras,” O’Sullivan said. “You don’t even have to ask him. He rolls up his sleeves and just does it.”