Chicago schools rely on tens of thousands of employees across many fields to keep their buildings humming and to support students. And much like teachers, they’re often underappreciated and overworked.
In a new series, “Inside Schools,” WBEZ is spotlighting some of these unsung heroes. From crossing guards to lunchroom workers, they play a crucial role in making schools run and keeping kids safe.
First up is a building manager who took reporter Nereida Moreno on a tour of St. Gabriel Catholic School in the city’s Canaryville neighborhood on the South Side. His name is Joseph Hermle, but most people call him Papa Joe.
Hermle, 65, graduated from St. Gabriel in 1973. Most of his family, including his wife and children, attended the school as well. Their graduation photos still hang in a hallway on the first floor of the building.
A retired laborer, Hermle says he started working at the school about 11 years ago. At least 17 of his nieces, nephews and grandkids are currently enrolled, and he enjoys watching them growing up on campus.
“I could quit and stay home … but I’m being taken care of. I live close and there’s no big bosses pushing you around,” Hermle says. “You’re not telling the kids what to do. You’re helping the kids and watching the kids.”
Joe Hermle arrives on campus each day around 6:30 a.m. He’s a lifelong Canaryville resident and lives just a few blocks away from the school.
Hermle says he enjoyed his time there as a student in the 1970s and made close friends. “I played sports here — basketball — and I enjoyed it. And I got along with my classmates. We’re all still together, we live around here and we take care.”
Part of Hermle’s job responsibilities include looking after St. Gabriel Church and making sure it’s ready for mass and other special events. He cleans the washrooms and floors, and helps decorate the altar with flowers on holidays.
“I’m more worried about this than my own backyard and my side yard and what’s going on around there,” he says.
Hermle jokes that the boiler room is his favorite “hiding space” on campus. He walks about 20,000 steps per day and regularly runs into his family members in the halls.
“I worked doing labor for 38 years. You were always depressed somewhere downtown, but this? You do it for the kids.”
Hermle fuels up the lawnmower on a recent school day. He takes care of the grounds and makes sure everything is clear by the time students and staff arrive.
“If it snows out, you gotta get the snow off the sidewalks,” he says. “Now [I mow] the grass to make it look better looking and bring it back to life.”
Everyone on campus has a different nickname for Hermle — some call him Papa Joe, while others refer to him as Honest Joe and Uncle Joe. He says the adoration makes him “feel great” and like he’s “taking care of what’s gotta to be taken care of.”
“It’s our parish and I’m still trying to keep it going. I mean, that’s basically the truth of it. I love being here,” he says. “And I love taking care of this place.”
Nereida Moreno covers education for WBEZ. Follow @nereidamorenos and @WBEZeduation.
