Whether he is working in the cafeteria, a classroom, the library or the hallways, Long Elementary School lead custodian Ron Ayers can always be found with a smile on his face and a willingness to lend a helping hand.

Long staff recently honored Ayers with their building-level Support Staff Person of the Year Award, and earlier this month, he was surprised during the school district’s annual Staff Recognition Ceremony, as he was crowned the 2016 Lindbergh Schools Support Staff Person of the Year.

Co-workers say that Ayers is always willing to help anyone, at anytime, and that he is upbeat, optimistic and willing to collaborate. What sets him apart is his dedication to making Long a great place to be, and the pride he takes in his work, according to a news release.

“Ron makes the teachers and students at Long his priority and always seems to stay one step ahead of us,” Long Elementary School Principal Jana Parker stated in the releasee. “He is the epitome of a truly genuine guy, and I am pretty sure he does not know the word ‘no’.”

Parker added that “Mr. Ron,” as the children know him, is respected by staff and students alike, and finds ways to incorporate students into his many projects that he completes around school each day.

“Ron’s flexibility and patience is admired,” Parker stated. “He often works outside of school hours to help his colleagues. There isn’t anything our Mr. Ron cannot do.”

Before taking the position as lead custodian at Long, Ayers was the lead custodian for the Lindbergh Early Childhood Education part day program at Dressel School before it was demolished in 2015. Earlier this year, Teresa Darr’s prekindergarten students at ECE West were thrilled when Ayers took the cornmeal they made home to feed his chickens, and later provided them with fresh eggs to make pancakes. It is stories like this that display his dedication and caring spirit, the release stated.

Ayers has been a Lindbergh Schools employee since 2011.