Middle school staff, students sing praises of Elvis custodian AKA Scott Balke

If you get to hear custodian Scott Balke’s Elvis Presley impersonation, consider yourself fortunate.

“That’s only for my closest friends,” he said, with a grin.

But just seconds later, in the main office at Sedalia Middle School, he belted out, “Well, since my moppy left me,” to the tune of “Heartbreak Hotel.”

“He’s really pretty good,” said administrative assistant Karen Benson. “We’re lucky to have him here.”

Balke feels fortunate to be there and to have been named the Sedalia Community Educators Association Associate of the Year for 2012. He received the honor Monday afternoon during the SCEA winter meeting at the Heckart Performing Arts Center at Smith-Cotton High School.

Balke said he was surprised enough when he was named the middle school’s outstanding associate, but was overwhelmed when he won the district honor.

Chris Pyle, assistant principal at the middle school, said: “We were very happy for him. We feel he is very deserving. He always gives his best, and is the kind of employee you would hope to have — not only for staff, but for students, as well.”

The students’ reactions are what hit home most for Balke. He said they streamed up to congratulate him and tell him “you’re the best custodian.”

“That was very rewarding,” he said. “It’s great to know you are making a difference in kids’ lives. If the staff and kids think a lot of you, you are doing something right.”

Balke’s dedication to the building’s students is what prompted administrative assistant Phelessia Hughes to write the letter nominating him for the honor.

“That man goes above and beyond for these students. He never hesitates to help a child,” she said. “He tries to learn all of the students’ names, he wants to make them feel important. I love that about him.”

Balke has been at the middle school for two years, after working at both old and new Smith-Cotton High School buildings and at Parkview Elementary. He has enjoyed the chance to move around in the district, since it has given him the opportunity to meet more people.

His busiest time of day is during the school’s six lunch periods, as he empties quickly filling trash cans and wipes down tables.

Hughes said Balke cleans up any mess a person can imagine without ever complaining, and when summoned to deal with such an issue he always says, “I’ll be right there.”
Pyle said Balke takes a lot of pride in his job.

“Mr. Balke and (head custodian Jeanie Mosier), as well, are the first ones in building in the morning, and they make sure our building is safe for us to start.” Pyle said. “During the day as issues arise ... he is the first person we call to keep running a safe school.”

Hughes said Balke has made a positive impression in his short time in at the middle school, in large measure due to his “cheerful heart.”

Balke admitted that in some places, the custodian position is looked down on. But not at Sedalia Middle School, where the students get to know them; Balke said he has even had students show him their grade cards so they could share their successes with him.

Balke has three children who attend school in Stover. He keeps them in mind as he does his job at the middle school.

“I keep it as clean as I would want it to be if they were going to school here,” he said.