D. Phifer

What's unusual about me is that my name is usually a last name.  A lot of people know about Deshield being a last name, but I seem to be the only one with Deshield as my first name. 

As a custodian, I clean the 9th floor so I am in charge of like dusting, bathrooms, and sanitizing. I take care of other floors, too. I have OCD so that helps me out in this role. Certain things just agitate me. Like crumbs on a table,  automatically, I say "Nope can’t do it."  I like things to be nice and clean, so when people come into the building to eat or use the bathroom it's already looking good. 

My co-workers and I wear red shirts so we are pretty easy to find. Since there are a lot of kids in the building one has to clean up after them or keep things tidy for them in order for everybody to be respectful towards the building. 

A memorable day was when it was raining and I am not sure if a pipe was leaking water, but basically, to me it was raining in the building. Water was coming everywhere and I had to get on top of it right away. I had to help clean it up and it was just a crazy experience. 

Being a mother of a ten-your old girl is my most significant accomplishment.  She is really awesome. She is an Aquarius who constantly keeps me on my toes. 

I like to watch movies, binge-watch tv shows and hang out with friends. I sing gospel music and I like to make music. I can say music makes me the happiest.

Interview by Jazmin Martinez Lopez and Andrew Noval, spring 2023