HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — “It’s nice to be able to start their day off with a smile, to see them smile. “Not everybody is excited about going to school,” said Bryant Crump, aka, Coach Crump. Crump’s been in education for a while. “Coming up on thirty years,” he said. He’s been at Monte Sano Elementary for half that time, about fifteen years.
Crump says teaching runs in his family. His mom and sister also educators. Crump now carries the torch. “Oh yeah, I’ve been carrying it for a while now. I didn’t think I’d stay in it this long. It’s an adventure." And about his role as coach? “It’s just more of a calling. It’s definitely not for the money.”
Greeting kids with a smile is his bonus. “I’m out here everyday. Rain, snow, sun. And we have a patrol out here with us that work hard every morning.”
“When he’s not here on very few occasions, you really can tell that he’s missing out here in front of the school,” said Principal Clifford Porter. Like many others at Monte Sano, he says Crump is the glue that keeps the school together. "He's a pillar here at Monte Sano Elementary School."
Crump says he enjoys what he does. “They’re great kids. It’s hard to beat that. Monte Sano is one of a kind. It is fun! It has been a fun 30 years. I don’t know if I can make it 30 more years."