Former custodian returns to school as the principal
A Colorado educator who began his career as a custodian, is back in school this week, this time as the principal. Michael Atkins started his first semester as principal of Denver’s Stedman Elementary School, already familiar with the school system. For more than three decades, Atkins has been a student, janitor and teacher. As a young student, he did not see a future in education after experiencing racial discrimination in the classroom. That all changed when he realized he could inspire students to celebrate each other's differences.