LEE COUNTY, Fla.- It's often the teachers and students that get all the praise at school, but what about those working to make sure the school day runs smoothly?

Lee County named its School Support Person of the Year, surprising him at his job, which also happens to be his elementary alma mater.

The surprise unfolded in the technology lab at Heights Elementary Monday morning.

"Would you please call Mr. Johnny to my classroom. my bathroom door will not close," Mrs. Bradley said in to the phone. 

It sounded like a serious problem, but everyone in the classroom knew otherwise.

Within seconds, the call went out to Mr. Johnny, also known as Juan Vazquez, the building supervisor at Heights Elementary.

He responded instantly, with a quick, "10-4, I'll be right there."

Mr. Johnny arrived to the classroom just two minutes later with drill in hand, ready to work. But he wasn't ready for a room of children shouting "congratulations" as he walked in the door.

Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph Burke jumped right in, presenting Mr. Vazquez with a glass award and naming him "School Support Person of the Year."

"I know a lot of other people probably deserve to be here and I'm glad that I was chosen for the award," Mr. Johnny said. 

Mr. Johnny has worked at Heights Elementary in Fort Myers for the past 16 years, but his history in the halls goes back decades.

"I went to school here in the sixties in the old building," said Vazquez.

He tends to the school's new building now, but believes his duties go beyond just the bricks and mortar of the building. He also thinks it's important to take care of the people who walk the halls.

"It's just a real good environment for the kids," Mr. Vazquez said. "Being around the kids, I like being around the kids. They need a lot of help and guidance, and whatever we can do to help them, we do."

Diane Salko, the principal at Heights Elementary, beamed with pride as Vazquez accepted his award.

"He just takes a lot of pride an ownership in making sure the building is always in tip top condition," Salko said.

But to Mr. Johnny, he wouldn't expect anything but the best from the place he calls "the best school in the country."

"This is the best place in the country, or in Lee County, to get the best education you can get, the most expensive education you can get, for free," Vazquez said. "It's a nice place."

In addition to this award, Mr. Vasquez also received gifts from Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Sun Harvest Citrus, Fresh Market and Barnes and Noble.