Custodian at Garrett Morgan Earns State Recognition

The lead custodian at Garrett Morgan Elementary, Jusnier Gastell Coira, has received the 2026 Impact Award from the Kentucky School Plant Management Association. The organization also recognized winners in the maintenance and operations divisions during its annual state conference Sept. 24 at the Central Bank Center. 

“My favorite part of the job is working around the elementary students and making sure their school is a safe place for them. I was an elementary technology teacher in Cuba, so being part of a school community still means a lot to me,” Gastell said. “I talk with the kids every day and love making them laugh. I also help Spanish-speaking students understand things when they need someone to explain them in Spanish. I hope I can be a role model by treating everyone with kindness, working hard, and showing students that every person in a school has an important part to play.”

Gastell has worked at Garrett Morgan for two years. He previously worked eight years at Bryan Station High. Sarah Woodford, an elementary chief school leadership officer in Fayette County Public Schools, suggested him for the statewide honor. 

“What truly sets Mr. Gastell apart is his remarkable ability to connect with people,” Woodford wrote in her nomination. “He understands that a school is built on relationships, not just bricks and mortar. Whether he is offering a kind word, sharing a well-timed joke, or simply offering a genuine smile, his presence acts as a positive reset button for everyone he encounters.”