Port Barre Elementary Custodian Becomes School’s Principal [VIDEO]

Joesph "Gabe" Sonnier once cleaned Port Barre Elementary for 27-years as it's custodian, now he is running the school as it's principal. Sonnier told CBS News that while at work, at Port Barre Elementary in 1985 , the principal at the time encouraged him to pursue his degree in education.

Back in 1979 Sonnier dropped out of Southern University to help his mother make ends meet. In an interview with our media partner at KATC-TV, Sonnier said, "I would come to work at like 5 in the morning and leave at 7 and go to school all day and then come back and finish up my eight hours of work here and then go home and do homework."

In 2008, Sonnier received his bachelor's degree and went from being a custodian of Port Barre Elementary to a teacher at the small south Louisiana school. Then, he would actively pursue his master's degree and get it from Arkansas State University.

Now, the man that once refereed my high school basketball games, is running the school he once helped keep clean. Its stories like Mr. Sonnier's that reminds us if you want something bad enough, you can accomplish anything. I am so happy for the Mr. Sonnier. His smile and energy has always been contagious, and Port Barre Elementary is certainly in good hands.

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