Every time students walk down the hall, they wave to familiar faces of students and teachers, but some employees rarely get a smile or even a wave of recognition. These wonderful staff members are crucial to the foundation of Niles West and are people we see on a daily basis: food service personnel, security guards, bus drivers, custodians and many more.  I feel that it is essential that Niles West students get to know these individuals better.

One of the many reasons for getting to know these staff members is a matter of basic respect. These are the people who work at this school for the improvement of our lives as well as our safety. Not knowing their names or worse, referring to them by their job title, is not just rude but a huge disservice to their influence in Niles West. Just because you might not see or interact with every member of staff for a set time every day (like a teacher) does not mean that they do not affect your life. Every time a mess is cleaned up, a lunch is served, a student is driven on the bus, or a line is managed, a service is being done by our staff, a service, might I add, that is being done phenomenally. We are so used to these services that we take them for granted. They deserve to be seen as an integral part of West, and learning their names is the first of many steps in acknowledging that.

Another reason for getting to know staff members better is that it will allow students to build more connections around the school and allow them more access to resources. By familiarizing yourself with staff throughout the school, you can hear about opportunities, advice and stories you would never have access to if you didn’t build those connections. Establishing common ground with staff members will help both you and staff members be more open and willing to help each other. All in all, getting to know more individuals who make up West will only broaden your horizons and make people more willing to go out of their way to help. Building human connections is the basis of so much good in this world; don’t allow that integral human part to stop when you walk through those school doors.

I understand that building these connections might not always seem possible. Whether that is because you’re nervous about talking to someone new, can’t find the opportunity or just don’t know how to start a conversation. I have a solution: just smile, nod, or wave.  Just do anything that shows that you acknowledge their service, if you and they aren’t busy, strike up a conversation. Or do something as simple as thanking them. A little bit of friendliness can make a big difference in someone’s day.