At Lincoln High, 11 custodians are proving that it’s never too late to learn something new.
Through a specialized Custodial Vocabulary class taught by Lincoln Literacy, these staff members improved their workplace English and boosted their confidence. By the end of the 10-hour course, their comprehension jumped from 61% to over 84%.
“I remember when I started, I didn’t speak any English,” said Hilda. “Now I can talk with teachers and students.”
The class was created through a partnership between LPS and Lincoln Literacy to support custodians on the job — and beyond. Instructor Abby Cawley made the lessons practical and encouraging, teaching key terms like tools, equipment, and safety language.
Nine custodians have already signed up for a follow-up class in general English, with some setting sights on new careers.
“There’s no ceiling,” said Chingwende. “If you want to be a supervisor, you can.”
