BULLARD, Texas — Sometimes the path to your purpose takes an unexpected turn. At Bullard ISD, one man started out sweeping floors and greeting kids in the hallway. Now, he’s in front of the classroom, shaping young lives.

At Bullard Elementary, students knew Adrian Saenz as the custodian with the big smile and warm hello.

"I'd see them in the cafeteria and just say, 'Good morning. How was your day?' Ask them about their life," he said.

For Saenz, a smile and a hello opened the door to something bigger. He started out as a custodian -- a step he says helped him begin his path in education and connect with children.

"Kids are my passion, and I started to understand them," Saenz said.

From custodian he went on to special education paraprofessional and now, his first year as a teacher.

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