Imagine, for a moment, that you are standing inside a school building. Classrooms are humming with conversation. The gymnasium is occupied. The phone in the front office rings over the sound of chatter. People mill about the hallways.

Who do you see inside the school? Whose voices, whose footsteps, do you envision there?

Perhaps your first thought is students, of course. And indeed, there are hundreds of students in the school. Next, you might think of teachers. After that, maybe you expect that the voices in the front office are those of the principal, the assistant principal and administrative assistants. Who else?

Dozens of other school staff are probably flitting about, helping the school day run smoothly, responding to student needs, participating in children’s learning, and coming and going from the building as their responsibilities require.

Often, these staff members work behind the scenes. Their roles may be less visible. Their work may be misunderstood or underappreciated by the public and even some of their colleagues. They are librarians. They are counselors. They are bus drivers. They are paraeducators. They are food service workers. They are school nurses. They are custodians. They are crossing guards. They are technology coaches, curriculum specialists, and speech pathologists.

Individually, they help shape the day for kids. Together, they help bring a school community to life.

In our Role Call series, we’re elevating the experiences of these staff members. Each piece in the collection features someone in a different school “role,” helping us to demystify what they do and better understand their unique contribution to their community. Read their stories below.