Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Why lunch ladies are heroes

Children’s book author Jarrett Krosoczka shares the origins of the Lunch Lady graphic novel series, in which undercover school heroes serve lunch…and justice! His new project, School Lunch Hero Day, reveals how cafeteria lunch staff provide more than food, and illustrates how powerful a thank you can be.

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[TheArchive]

Even as a junior paramedic in the UK, I see cleaners work away in the background. The other staff most of the time just seem them as if they are a part of the background. But for me, I see cleaners as important as me, they clean and reduce infection and as a result they save lives. Without them our hospitals couldn't function!

For healthcare, cleaners are the the unsung heros!

[lxc]

I cried a little when he said she passed away : (

[janelyons]

In elementary school we used to do these wonderful sort of "thank you" acts for the lunch workers and custodians. But as I entered middle school and high school, that gratitude quickly vanished from the student population. I hope this reminds the older students watching that you're never too old to make a hamburger card saying thank you.

[CrimsonRunnerToJesus]

I was a lunch lady for some years, and, because of the kids, it was a very fulfilling job. Great memories...

[emmarose]

He came to my school and I remember him talking about this... Same exact words

[roidroid]

I've been subbed to TED for years, normally roll my eyes at these emotional videos.
But this might be the most powerful TED talk i've ever seen.
Thanks.

[mctm]

When any person who has this type of job and they take pride in doing it well is  a hero in my book..these people are the real givers ...the rest of us are just takers who think we are entitled to their kindness.

[ductuslupus]

It really amazes me how many people whose job it is that may seem trivial but in actuality, provide an almost vital service to society. Take sanitation workers, sewers and Garbage workers. They have done more to save lives then a doctor ever could. My mother is a cleaner, she cleans to make a house look nice but she does show some pride when I tell her, her work keep infection away and has properly saved a life. However, does this deserve the dinner ladies the praise that this man proposes? I don't know.

[minimaxhall]

This is fantastic. Never heard of this, also it makes one reflect of other duties people do for society that might "easily be overlooked or unnoticed" and not respected for what it actually is. Thank you. 

[kaarenremley]

this is awesome!  so glad you  acknowledged their  jobs habe value & that people love them!

[lauranarayanigubisch]

For my grandmother, Bernadine NANA Kelly Gubisch and her 'Lunch Lady' days so looong ago. . . .RIP Nana and Thank You for everything. . .

[soroij.]

Makes me miss my awesome Lunch Lady from 1-5th grade.

[JenniferRMaxwell]

I love this... and also, what is this salty substance coming from my eyes? Thanks for sharing this great and important topic. Three cheers for lunch ladies, and those that feed the world.

[witchitter]

Really really happy about this one ted.

[sabrinahankins]

I don't think people realize what a lunch lady/man does. We feed your kids with pleasure. We connect with them in ways others can't sometimes. Put a smile on there face or help when their having a bad day. I know every child that comes through my line & know what they want most of the time. I have paid for kids lunches out of my own pocket TOO many times to count. I'm not a hero in the sense that I've saved someone's life. But I know I have made a difference to a lot of kids. They have even asked me to sign their yearbook. Every day is not perfect but I wouldn't trade it. I'm more than JUST a lunch lady. 

[maverick]

All my love and admiration to my lunch lady hero my wife. Honey what you and the others do for the kids is amazing.

[nickfytb]

I love lunch lady I always get it out my school library

[AirBallers]

There was this really nice lunch lady at my school whom had been there for 15 years or so that was able to remember possibly all of our names which I think was impressive.

[ItsEliza]

My lunch ladies are the nicest people I’ve ever met they always say hi and smile and they talk to you, they never get their proper credit

[MrOnionterror]

At junior school there was always a kindly massive-bosomed dinner lady to talk to if things were difficult at home. They were like social workers in a way.