Caledonia — Paris Ridge Elementary lead custodian Tony Claybrook, known to students and staff as “Mr. Tony,” does not cry over spilled milk.
Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to connect with a student, while keeping the cafeteria clean during lunch time.
When a rag isn’t under his feet or in his hands, Mr. Tony helps students carry their lunch trays or open their yogurt cups. He asks about their days and offers a hug if it’s not been a great one.
“I help kids out when I can,” he said. “Sometimes, I’m emotional support or a counselor or someone to laugh with. It’s the little things that make a big difference.”
After lunch is over, several students often volunteer to help him with his tasks. Claybrook said it doesn’t hurt that he sometimes hides candy around the cafeteria and in the supply closet for eager helpers to find after completing their jobs.
Claybrook grew up in West Michigan, attending schools in Kentwood and Grand Rapids. After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School, he worked in construction for five years while going to school to earn his associate degree in education, in case he decided to pursue a job in a school.
When a friend asked him if he wanted to work a janitorial job at Caledonia’s Kettle Lake Elementary, he said “I wanted to work inside. It’s cold outside.”
That launched his tenure in Caledonia, 37 years ago. He began as a second-shift custodian at Kettle Lake, working there for 20 years until Paris Ridge opened its doors in 2010 and he made the switch to become the new school’s lead custodian.
“I told the former head custodian at Kettle Lake that he didn’t retire fast enough for me to take over his job,” Claybrook said jokingly.
Kids Keep Him Young
Chelsea Little started teaching first grade at Paris Ridge the year the building opened and quickly recognized a familiar face as one of her new colleagues: the janitor from when she was a student at Kettle Lake.
“I could not describe a more positive, caring or devoted individual than Mr. Tony. He is the best of the best,” Little said. “The students adore him. He makes them laugh, helps when they are hurt and lifts them up when they are down.”
Paris Ridge Principal Lance Jones beams every time he talks about Claybrook.
“He’s so amazing with the kids,” he said. “The older kids come back and they only want to see him.”
At the end of every school year, Claybrook has a tradition of asking students moving up to fifth grade to sign his yearbook.
“In case they become a star, I get their autographs in a yearbook. I want it first,” he said.
Going into year 17 at Paris Ridge this fall, with no plans to slow down, Mr. Tony said it’s the kids that keep him going and feeling young.
“I love kids; that’s why I do it,” he said. “I stay young (because of them), that’s what I do.”
When he’s not laughing with students at work, Claybrook said he’s having fun with his five kids and seven grandkids, who call him “dad” or “grandpa,” not “Mr. Tony.” Together they enjoy camping, visiting the beach and going on adventures to places like Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
Over the years, Claybrook said times have changed but kids have not.
“Kids have been kids and will keep being kids,” he said. “They are honest to a T and you can’t stress about the small things.”
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