Faces of Lynwood Spotlight: Lorena Sanchez

For Lorena Sanchez, caring for her school campus is personal. A Lynwood resident and Lynwood High School graduate, Sanchez has spent the last five years as a custodian at Helen Keller Elementary School. 

“The first thing you want to see when you come to school is a place that looks nice and welcoming,” said Sanchez.

It’s more than maintaining a campus. For Sanchez, Helen Keller Elementary is her second home, and she treats it as such. 

Her day begins at 6 a.m. She cleans the grounds, empties the trash, gathers misplaced sweaters, lunch bags, and water bottles, checks for graffiti, and makes sure the kitchen and student eating areas are clean before the Hawks set foot on campus at 8:45 a.m. 

But the heart of Sanchez’s work goes beyond the campus she cares for each morning. She has also made meaningful connections with the students she sees every day. Whether it is comforting a young student who is having a difficult morning, talking with older students, or simply checking in with a child who needs someone to listen, Sanchez makes sure everyone feels seen, heard, and cared for. 

For Sanchez, those relationships are among the most rewarding experiences of her work.

“You see [the students] grow and change, from their hairstyles and the way they dress to the way they talk. It’s beautiful, and I love seeing that,” Sanchez said.

“Sanchez’s dedication has also earned her recognition as the District’s Classified Employee of the Year, an honor that reflects the care she has long brought to her campus community.”

Throughout her time at Lynwood Unified, Sanchez has also continued to learn. Working alongside different supervisors and coworkers has helped her develop new skills and take on new responsibilities. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing within the District and eventually become a supervisor, manager, or director.

For Sanchez, her motivation to keep learning and showing up each day comes back to the students she serves.

“I really enjoy working with these kids. Being a custodian doesn’t mean I can’t be involved in their school experience. I find a lot of joy in what I do, and the students are what keep me motivated,” Sanchez said.

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