January is a time to recognize the people who serve our schools and communities. It is School Board Appreciation Month, but it is also an opportunity to reflect more broadly on the many individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and care to supporting students every day. Education is not the work of a single role or title; it is a shared responsibility carried out by many.
That truth was powerfully reinforced this past weekend when my wife and I watched Soul on Fire, a deeply moving film inspired by the true story of John O’Leary, who survived a devastating house fire at the age of nine. The film is ultimately about survival, hope, and the network of people whose dedication made healing possible.
One scene has stayed with me. A doctor asks a group of interns who the most important person was in helping a critically burned child survive. One intern answered that it must be the doctor providing the care. The doctor gently disagrees and introduces the person responsible for cleaning the room—the individual who ensured the environment remained sterile and safe. Without that quiet, consistent work, the doctor explains, none of the medical treatment would have mattered.
That moment reframes how we think about impact. Healing, growth, and success are rarely the result of a single visible role. They are made possible by many people doing their jobs well, day after day, often without recognition.
The same is true in our schools.
Teachers are at the heart of education, building relationships, guiding learning, and inspiring curiosity every day. But they are not alone in shaping student success. Bus drivers are often the first and last adults students see each day, providing safe transportation and a familiar, caring presence. Custodians create clean, safe environments where learning can happen. Cafeteria staff ensure students are nourished and ready to focus. Instructional assistants provide critical support, often working one-on-one or in small groups to help students succeed.
School board members and administrators provide leadership and vision, helping ensure strong programs, safe facilities, and responsible use of resources. Secretaries, nurses, maintenance teams, and many others contribute in ways that may not always be visible but are essential to the daily life of a school.
Just like the hospital room in Soul on Fire, a school’s environment matters. Cleanliness matters. Safety matters. Relationships matter. Consistency matters. When those pieces come together, students are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
The lesson from Soul on Fire is not only about overcoming tragedy—it is about recognizing the power of everyday service. While big moments often receive attention, it is the small, faithful acts performed quietly and with care that sustain schools and communities.
As we reflect during this season of appreciation, we are reminded that every adult in a school plays a role in caring for children, not just educating them, but protecting them, encouraging them, and creating the conditions where they can succeed. When we understand this, we see our schools not as collections of job titles but as communities built on shared purpose and service.
Whether in a hospital or a school, it is never just one person who makes the difference; it is all of us, doing our part, every day.