Janitor breaks down in tears after school is named after her for 39 years of helping students
'She was in every meaningful sense a teacher and educator at heart,' Superintendent Shannon Saylor said
One might think teachers are the only ones who can impact a student's life within the school premises, but the Aubrey Independent School District (AISD) board members say otherwise. On October 21, Marilyn Hampton was invited to a "board meeting." She had worked at the AISD as a custodian for 39 years. When they asked her to roll out a red carpet during the meeting, she thought she was completing a usual task, until she read what was written on it. The story was reported by NBC News on October 26, 2026, gaining 15,587 views, 116 likes, and 25 comments since.
'Truly Aubrey ISD'
Hampton retired in 2022, but on October 21, 2026, she was asked to attend a "school-related" meeting. Little did Hampton know, it was a meeting to recognize her contributions she had made to the school. Superintendent Shannon Saylor spoke about how Hampton was not just a custodian, but she also helped students in her own way. She would buy students school supplies when they needed them, helped them with their studies, staffed the ticket booth during football games, and encouraged them to do their best in school. Saylor said, "She may not have the official title of an educator – but she was in every meaningful sense a teacher and educator at heart...She is truly Aubrey ISD."
Happy with how life turned out
When Hampton was asked to roll out a red carpet, she thought it was just part of her task. But when they asked her to look at the blue letters emblazoned on it, she gasped, "Oh my goodness! Oh, God. You all are the best," she said. She read what was written on it, and the letters spelled out her name along with "Elementary School." She was told that they renamed "Elementary School Number Five" to "Marilyn Hampton Elementary School." She was in tears when she added, "I still can’t believe it. I haven’t stopped crying."
Hampton was one of eight siblings, but the only one who graduated high school. She told WFAA that she used to think of herself as a failure for not going to college. But now, she said, "I just thought, 'You know, Marilyn? God put you where you are supposed to be.' And I’m very happy with the way things turned out." Hampton spends her days at the Aubrey Independent School District Early Bird Learning Center. Marilyn Hampton Elementary will open in August 2027.
Appreciating the underappreciated
Marilyn's story is one of the few where custodians receive the recognition they deserve. A Preply study found that 44% of Americans believe janitors are one of the most underappreciated professionals. The survey was an eye-opener. It revealed that 17% of Americans regretted not thanking a janitor, while 40% reported thanking janitors for the work they do. Another survey by the National Institute on Retirement Security in 2022 said that 89% of Americans say school teachers and personnel deserve more respect.
'About time'
People in the comment section appreciated Hampton's work and praised the board members for giving her the recognition after a long service. @tejanoj3017 commented, "If this was more common practice, there would be many buildings with different kinds of surnames on them. Hard workers." @shaywilliams3358 added, "I am 50 years old, and I still remember the lunch ladies and the ones that cleaned everything; they were the mothers."
More on Scoop Upworthy
Devoted custodian receives touching tribute as school names building after her in Missouri
Share on Facebook
