PALMETTO, Fla. — The head custodian at Tillman Elementary School in Manatee County has become a beloved member of the staff.

Kody McNear is known for his positive interactions with students and his 110-percent effort.

When the children come into the cafeteria for breakfast in the morning, McNear greets many of them by name because he has gotten to know so many of them.

McNear was a student at the school as a child.

“I grew up one street over,” he said. “I went here. I know a lot of these kids’ parents. I like this area. It’s where I’m from. I like working at this school, you know.”

In some cases, McNear has even gotten a student a small gift for their birthday.

“He has gotten me chips because that’s all I wanted,” said fifth grade student Key’ven Randall with a big smile on his face.

Inside his office, McNear has a board with pictures of students from over the past seven years.

And there is even a small handmade book from a student about him as the custodian. It’s something McNear said he treasures.

“I don’t know. It makes me feel bashful,” said McNear. “It makes me feel good that the work I’m doing here is not going unnoticed, you know.”

McNear is anything but unnoticed, said school coordinator Christy Carey.

"He absolutely knows our students,” Carey said. “He knows their families. He knows their backgrounds. And he is always encouraging them to be the best students they can be. It’s really amazing.”

McNear is now taking his positive approach to coaching.

He’s a running back coach at Parrish Community High School.

Even quarterback Jackson Volz is taking note.

“Definitely life lessons,” Volz said of his interactions with McNear. “Like do stuff now 100 percent so you don’t regret it later. That’s definitely the one I remember most.”