Meet Alicia Nickens, Lead Custodian at Rocky Fork Elementary

Alicia Nickens is the lead custodian at Rocky Fork Elementary. While her day-to-day involves keeping the school in top shape, Nickens always finds time to connect with students.

In this Q&A, Nickens talks about her job as lead custodian, her home-away-from-home and how she engages with kids on a daily basis.

Q: Tell me about your background:

A: My name is Alicia Nickens. I’ve been with Rutherford County for 25 years. I started out at Cedar Grove before taking a full day-time position at David Youree. Then I moved to Rocky Fork when they opened here.

Q: What do you do day-to-day here at Rocky Fork?

A: On a day-to-day basis we are pretty much like a family here. We do whatever is needed in the school. My main job, of course, is just cleaning and trying to keep a clean place for kids to come in and learn. I assist the teachers with whatever they need, whether it’s, you know, cleaning up things or putting together things that will help kids in their classrooms. Just different things like that. You know we accept truckloads, keep things stocked, and pretty much whatever they need here. We’re just here to assist in making the day run smoother so they can educate our kids.

Q: What do you like about the school?

A: I love the family atmosphere with our teachers and staff here. We have a great administration who’s always here and supportive. I love the kids. I love being able to be a small part of their education and day-to-day. Just the opportunity to mentor the kids … they’re the reason why we’re here and the highlight of our day. You know, it’s them coming down the hallway, giving you a hug, telling you thank you for the things that you do. It’s the smiles on their face when you’re able to say their name back to them.

Q: What keeps you coming back every day?

A: Just being a part of the school here. You are part of it for so long and you just become friends. And the people here are like family, along with the kids you get to know from kindergarten all the way up through fifth grade. It’s like an extension of your household. It’s where you spend a lot of time. If you’re not at home with your family, then you are here with your family. This was an opportunity too where, you know, my kids, I have three grown children now, you learn their friends.

Q: Have you ever thought about teaching?

A: I’ve thought about it. Our teachers have a huge responsibility. But I love the part of the job where you get to know everybody in the school. You’re not just in one classroom with one group. I love to be in the halls and see each one of the kids you know. They ask questions about the machines you are running or the things you’re doing. You get to explain to them, talk to them, and show them some of that stuff. I enjoy that.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about your career?

A: The most rewarding thing, like I said, it has just been a great job for me, it’s been a great opportunity to work when my kids were younger with their own schedule. The most rewarding thing is the smiles and hugs of the kids, and just, you know, on a day-to-day basis getting to see each and every one of them and getting to know them. Being able to watch them learn and develop is pretty awesome.

Q: If you ever retire, what do you want people to remember about you?

A: I hope that they remember how much I care about them, and how I cared about their school. I always enjoyed them, and I get as much from them as they could ever get from me. We have a different range of kids, and you know they’re sweet kids, smart, intelligent, and loving kids.

Q: What is most important to you outside of work?

A: I enjoy spending time with my own kids and grandkids. I have three grandkids who are the highlight of my life. If I’m not here, then I’m with them.