We all have that one teacher whom we will never forget, but how many can say that about the school custodian?

Most students who have attended Watauga High School in the last 12 years will always remember Ted Drum – but not just because he made the aging building look as good as it could. He has done much more than mop up floors.

When asked to describe Ted, one former student just laughed. “There’s no way!”

Wearing multiple hats, from maintenance supervisor over the custodial staff to driver of the activity bus and everything in between, Ted is the eternal Mr. WHS. He has cleaned up many “messes” simply by sweeping his compassion through the building.

He’s a friend to students, faculty and staff, “Gramps” to a former student who so labeled him with affection, the husband of the school’s administrative assistant – but to everyone, he’s simply Ted.

His soft (but deep!) voice, his mischievous grin, his signature gray ponytail and year-round uniform (shorts and a tee-shirt or jersey) are things that people notice first. However, there’s much more than meets the eye. 

How many custodians have been named an honorary member of nearly every school club or are the recipient of numerous awards/accolades such as yearbook dedication and homecoming parade grand marshal? How many become the most requested driver of the activity bus for special events – and love every minute of the trip, whether locally for a couple of hours or far away for days?

He’s driven every school team, social club and cheerleading squad all across North Carolina and beyond. He smiles as he recalls those trips where more than memories were made.
 
“I try to be a friend to every kid,” he says. “There are some who are hard to reach, but when you show them you care and can be trusted, you’ve got a friend for life.”

It’s more than just a job for Ted and he’s the first to admit it.

“I love to watch them grow into the adults we knew they could be,” he says. “I love it when those who have graduated come back later and introduce their children to me.”

He grins when mentioning how some students responded when disciplinary measures included working for “Mr. Ted.”

“Their friends want to know what they did to get in trouble and then they start doing the same thing. It didn’t work out like it should.”

Life has been good, he admits, giving much credit to his wife of nearly 20 years. “Diane keeps me in line,” he chuckles. “My step-granddaughter, who is a student here, texted me the other day and told me there was a spill in the hallway that needed to be cleaned up. I told her that her grandmother was enough to deal with. I don’t need both of them telling me what to do!”

Father of one son, the Catawba County native has made his home in the mountains since 1994. He and Diane, who started out working as his assistant and substitute bus driver, travel from their Avery County home each day to jobs they dearly love.

A 1972 graduate of Bandys High School in Newton, Ted went on to receive his certification in auto technology from Catawba Valley Community College in 1974. He later received his wastewater license from CVCC, became state certified and worked at various water/maintenance jobs, mainly in supervisory capacities until he became a victim of  down-sizing.

After moving here, Ted worked as part-time custodian/bus driver at WHS and at the water plant on Beech Mountain for a year before returning to WHS as full-time custodial/maintenance supervisor in 1998. He has since received numerous certifications in nearly everything from hazard materials to CPR and is always the first donor on the list at blood drive time. To date, Ted has donated 23 units of blood.

He’s seen many changes through the years and – with mixed emotions – anticipates the biggest ever with the high school’s relocation later this year.

“Someone asked me what I was going to do with that big, new building and I just said, ‘Give me the keys and I’ll take care of it.’”

And take care of it, he will, but he has one question. “When we move, will the road out here still be called High School Drive?”

He will miss the familiarity of the current building where he knows every nook and cranny, what works and what doesn’t.
 
“I was at the very first football ballgame here and I was at the last one, too, and I’ve done a lot in between.”

Ted is one of the greatest “cheerleaders” local high school kids could ever have in their lives, and they know it. He’s always reminding students that they can't win if they don't play.

“This goes for anything in life. If you don't try something, you will never know if you can do it, or not.”

To the adults, Ted says, “Never tell a child their dreams are foolish or they can't do something. We should support them no matter how foolish or silly it may seem to us. After all, this is America and they may become president or Supreme Court judge one day or maybe even the surgeon you see as you doze off. Think about it. Nothing is impossible.”

Ted believes there is a higher power in charge that has plans for each of us. “It depends on whether we step aside and let it work for us or we fly in and mess everything up doing it our way. It’s totally up to us.”

Ted adds, “I love my job and the people at WHS. I try to provide a clean, safe and fun environment for everyone.”

It’s not unusual for Ted to be approached by students who need a soft shoulder and a big heart. They know he has both.

Dealing with kids (and adults!), Ted had decided there are always three sides to every situation: “His, hers and the truth.”

The truth, as we see it, is that Ted Drum is no ordinary custodian. Sometimes, there are just no words to explain one of life’s greatest treasures.