Mr. Kevin Stayvek is a custodian who has been at Pace for 15 years. He enjoys his work and loves being around the kids and assisting with custodial needs.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

What would you say it is like working here?

The atmosphere is very nice being on our teachers, being on kids. I enjoy being around the kids. I get to socialize with them and staff as well.

What would you say is the best part of working here?

The kids, being around people in general.

When did you start working?

15 years ago.

Earlier, you said that you were a gym teacher. So can you explain what made you stop being a gym teacher?

I needed a certification and so they dropped me down to a substitute. Substitutes,, they don’t have coverage, so I needed something with coverage because my wife was sick and she passed away 10 years ago. So that’s how I started at this job. I missed teaching, I wish I could go back, but there were just things that I will have to do.
I enjoy sports. I watch you guys put in, right now.

When you get here, what is normally the first thing that you do?

I go downstairs, I drop off my stuff, I go upstairs, I open my staff room. I get my equipment ready, and I start working.

Would you say that working here has been an interesting experience?

An interesting experience, when I was teaching, I used to do this part as well as teach. So, I had a feel for it but, you know, there are times where it gets difficult and then you know, I got to push through it, and then there are times where I say, okay, that I wish I could be, you go back to teaching again, because it’s a hard job. I’m on my feet all day, eight-nine hours a day. So, it takes a toll on your body.

How many hours do you work here?
I worked from 3:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m on weekdays, then I work on Saturday from 7:00 a.m to 1:00 in the afternoon. I am off on Sunday. [So I work] 6 out of the 7 days of the week.