Dan began his professional life in the retail grocery industry. In 1996 he made the move to work in education because he wanted a professional life that allowed time for family. Dan approaches his work with a customer service mindset. He focuses on a list he got at a workshop early in his career that includes tips like: perform a small act of kindness, do more than people expect, and be a self-esteem builder. Giving a car a jump, fixing eye glasses, clearing snow off a car, or cleaning a student’s pants after an accident are all just part of the daily routine. When a kindergarten classroom couldn’t get to the pumpkin patch for their field trip, Dan grabbed his pick up truck and brought the pumpkin patch to them. In the dead of winter, Dan will don a Hawaiian shirt, put on the Beach Boys, and barbecue lunch for the staff.
Although his primary responsibility is building custodian, Dan knows he is also a custodian of students. He understands that adults who are friendly and trustworthy make a huge impact on student success. Dan has become one of those adults. He frequently walks with the mileage club, ducks into the gym to play a round of badminton, or stops to help with a math problem. He also awards the coveted “Golden Dustpan” award monthly to the cleanest classroom.
Because keeping kids safe at school is the first step in student success, Dan also serves on the district crisis team and strategic plan committee. He is always looking for potential collaborations with public safety and community organizations, recently suggesting including local churches in their evacuation plan.
“Mr. Holzer is a highly motivated professional with an infectious ‘can-do’ attitude that guides how he works to accomplish all of his goals on a daily basis,” says Superintendent John Schieche. “Dan works tirelessly while devoting countless hours to produce quality work both within and outside of the school system. He has truly made a mark in making our schools and community a better place to live and learn.”
