Dave Martin was 31 when he began working for Whitebead School as a custodian.
That was in 1982.
Next month, Martin will retire from his position as facilities manager, transportation director and security coordinator at Whitebead Schools after 42 years of service.
“It’s been a good job,” Martin said recently as he took a few minutes out of a busy end-of-school-year day to talk about his experiences.
He said when he started all those years ago, he never imagined he would stay for four decades.
“I must have liked it though, because I came and stayed,” Martin said, laughing. “No, I never did think I’d be here this long. I really didn’t.”
He said the atmosphere at the school is part of what has kept him there so long.
“When you enjoy coming to work every day, it’s not a job, at least not to me,” Martin said. “You’ve got to love your job to stay somewhere that long—and the people you work around.”
He said it is those people, students and staff, that he will miss the most as he steps away from his position next month.
“I really appreciate working with different people, who must see something in this like I do, more than just the job, but also the rewards of the job,” Martin said.
He said he’s also enjoyed watching generations of students learn and grow as they’ve come up through the school, which serves pre-K through eighth grade, and then to see them come back years later to share news about their successes, graduation announcements and other awards and accomplishments.
“There are students here now, some of them are grandkids of the kids who rode the bus I drove, and that really kind of makes you feel odd,” Martin said, chuckling.
Martin said one of the requirements of the job— and part of the pay—when he started was to live in a house owned by the school that is adjacent to the school’s campus. The close proximity allows him to provide security for the school, not just from things like theft and vandalism, but also to watch for things like fire, or frozen pipes in the winter.
He said when one of the school’s portable buildings caught fire in 2005, he noticed it quickly and was able to call the fire department. Though the building where the fire started sustained significant damage, the rest of the campus was spared.
Martin, who has raised two sons on the property, said he also appreciates that he’s been able to raise his family in the Whitebead community and said the job and close proximity to home has also afforded him more time with his family through the years.
He has also seen quite a few changes over the 42 years he has worked for the district.
He remembers when the cafeteria and kitchen were on the second floor, and when the auditorium served as the gym; he has watched enrollment grow over the years and celebrated along with everyone else when the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 1999.
“It’s just amazing how things have changed. I guess over the years you don’t think about it, but you do see a lot of different changes,” Martin said. “It’s hard to say (what biggest change has been), because there have been so many.”
Martin said one of his goals has always been to keep the outward appearance of the school grounds and buildings in such a way that it reflects the quality learning going on inside.
“That’s always been my mindset. Things should look clean, and things should look presentable,” Martin said. “The students and the teachers deserve that.”
Martin said even beyond first impressions, the facility’s appearance has a big impact on how the school is perceived by the community and by students.
“I always remember a scripture, Colossians 3:23,” Martin said.
The verse says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
“If you look at it that way, it’s much more than just a job to come to,” Martin said. “That’s the scripture I always think about. Now, do I like everything that I do? No,” Martin laughs. “Does anybody? But you do it, because that’s part of it.”
Even with all the changes over the years, Martin said the one thing that has always remained constant is the spirit embodied at the school.
“It’s about making it thrive, making it succeed and making sure those students who pass through the doors succeed,” Martin said. “Making this a place kids want to come to learn. It’s what everybody wants accomplished here. And it takes everybody working together to do it. Everybody has to do their part to make it function.”
Martin has already started making the move out of the school-owned house, and said he and his wife plan to settle in the Mustang area after his retirement next month to be nearer their youngest son.
Anyone who would like to send well wishes or a message of congratulation to Martin on his retirement can submit those to Whitebead School at superintendent@whitebead.net or to 16476 N. County Road 3200, Pauls Valley, Okla. 73075.
