Posted by By Lila Ackerman & Lujayn Eljamal, Staff Editors
“Everyone has a story, right?” That is how Kevin Caulfield, a custodian at NPHS who’s known for wearing a backwards baseball cap and always cracking jokes, started our conversation. However, our stories aren’t always visible to the outside world. You may recognize Kevin, as well as Krista, a monitor, from seeing them around the school. But many of us haven’t taken the time to ask “Who are they, really?” and what they enjoy. So, we decided to sit down in the cafeteria one afternoon and talk to them about exactly that.
“Everyone has a story, right?”
Kevin Caulfield, NPHS Custodian
Kevin has been working at NPHS since 2018 and got this job through his mom’s friend. He was born and raised in Wappingers Falls, where he currently lives. On top of regular custodial duties such as maintaining and cleaning the building and ensuring the school’s safety, he’s often seen talking with others, stating that his “favorite part of the job is getting to see the interaction with staff and students.” He loves being a part of the community and getting involved with school activities such as community events and fundraisers.
Outside of school though, he is actually interested in extreme sports. Whether he’s jet skiing in the Hudson River, offroading, or hiking, he’s always with friends. Kevin created most of these friendships in elementary and high school, though he also made many from working here at New Paltz. We learned that he and his friends often go karaokeing, and he even sings! His friends challenged him once to sing a Backstreet Boys song on the spot even though he claims he’s “not a great singer”.
Since we finally had access to an insider’s perspective, we asked him which teacher’s room is the hardest to clean. “I knew that question was coming…” was Kevin’s response, but he decided to keep the answer to himself. While he does clean the school, his whole job isn’t as straightforward as some may think, he also states that he tries to keep students “out of harm’s way”. What makes it enjoyable is creating connections with people in the school. “I’m a nice person, outgoing, not a mean person at all. I’m an open book. Some people think custodial staff are mean or weird, but they’re just here to help everyone,” says Kevin.
He said one of his top motivations is striving to be a good role model, not only to people at the school, but more importantly to his niece and nephew. “Examples of that are respect, trust and communication,” he says, referring to the key characteristics he hopes to pass down to them. “My favorite memory… probably when I found out I was going to be an uncle.” It was a big surprise to have a new addition to the family, and they have become a highlight of his life.
One of the most noticeable things about Krista Talutto is that she’s always smiling. Smiling when we ask for a pass to leave the cafeteria, smiling at us in the hallways, and smiling during her interview as she talks about various aspects of her life. Like Kevin, she also stands by similar values, whether she’s speaking with a student in the cafeteria or talking with her children at home. Her job is for the most part to ensure kids don’t fool around, as well as helping them avoid fights– “not that I can break them up…” she adds. Krista’s least favorite part of the job is having to write kids up. Often she’ll have to, though, if they’re being disrespectful. She argues that the more you get acquainted with someone, the more respect you begin to have for them. Haylee Coddington, a sophomore at NPHS, is often seen with a chair pulled up next to Krista in the cafeteria. “I talk to Krista on a daily basis, she’s a very down to earth person, and will listen to you when you need it.
Sometimes I’m struggling and I need someone to give me advice. She’s a trusted adult and always gives me the answer I’m looking for. I love Krista, she’s a homie for real,” says Haylee.
Krista applies the principles of respect to her children as well, and emphasizes that if you respect people, you’ll get respect back. “Well, maybe not from everyone,” she concedes, “but that’s like my motto.” Krista’s children are a big part of her life. “I enjoy just watching them grow and seeing the nice little humans that I’ve created.”
Krista’s oldest son is a freshman at NPHS, meaning he’s currently going to the same high school that his mother went to eighteen years prior. She graduated from NPHS in 2006, and has lived here for most of her life.
“Honestly, I did love high school. Just being with my friends, I played the flute in the band, and I enjoyed the football games. When I walk down the music wing it floods me with memories.”
She’s still very close with many of her friends from high school and spends time with them often. Apparently the school hasn’t changed much since she was a student, and current students emphasize how important her personal connection to the school is. “She’s been at the school for some time, including being a student in the past, so it helps that she knows people and what is going on,” said Haylee. “I love talking to her about generally anything.”
“I love talking to her about generally anything.”
Haylee Coddington
Although teachers are usually considered the foundation of a school, without support staff such as custodians, monitors, and social workers, our school couldn’t function. These staff members contribute to a caring and safe environment for learning, not only by fulfilling their professional duties but also by creating connections with students. They play a critical role in our well-being. We have a lot to learn from our classroom teachers.
However, if you broaden the definition of a teacher to anyone who makes you a better person, you may come to appreciate that attentive people like Krista and Kevin– whose contributions to our school we often take for granted– have a lot to teach us as well.
The Maroon 