Andrew Winchester

Title: Head Custodian 
Job site: Escuela secundaria Kapa'a
Years in the HIDOE: 10
Years in the position: 10

Q: Briefly describe your career path.
A: I worked all in construction before this. I originally applied for this position for the benefits. 

Q: What are your primary duties?
A: Mostly just keeping the school running. I help oversee construction projects when they take place at the school. I mostly try to make school better, and make the campus pretty and more up to date. I help to get through the red tape to get things done at the school. We work closely with DAGS (the Department of Accounting and General Services) on Kauaʻi and are lucky to have a good relationship with them. 

Q: Favorite part about the job?
A: My favorite part of the job is just trying to make the whole school look nice. It’s an older school — a 70-year-old school — so there’s a lot of work to be done. 

Q: Most challenging part about your position?
A: Probably just the state processes of getting projects completed. Also getting funds for things and preventive maintenance on campus. 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering this position?
A: I come from a background of how to fix things so that was helpful for this position. But I had to learn how to make a team work and build team relationships. It’s important to know how to motivate a team so that you can work together to meet your goal or vision. 

Q: How does your role support student success?
A: Being from a construction background, the shop teachers sometimes pick my brain for projects they are working on with students. Right now, for example, they are working on tiny home projects so I’ve helped with that. Also, Kauaʻi is small so we all know each other’s families and are just always looking out for students and their best interest.