Rock ‘n' roll singer would be alternate career

Each Friday, The Citizen features someone in education from the Finger Lakes community in The Banks: This week, we spotlight Jim LoPiccolo.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job and why?

A. The most rewarding part is receiving compliments for my efforts, because I take pride in doing a good job.

Q. What is the most challenging aspect of the job and why?

A. Sometimes I encounter kids being mean, and I try to diffuse the situation. I don't like seeing kids pick on someone.

Q. What was your most embarrassing moment?

A. I blamed the guys for stealing my pickles when I misplaced them.

Q. What do you think is a student's key to success?

A. I think a student needs to give more than 100 percent effort and be willing to accept extra help when it is necessary.

Q. What is the funniest question a student has ever asked you?

A. “Are you the principal?”

Q. What did you do prior to working at Auburn High School?

A. I worked as a shipping clerk at General Electric for 20 years.

Q. If you hadn't pursued your career, what would you have chosen?

A. I would have been a rock 'n' roll singer. I was the lead singer of my own band for a short time in the late '60s and early '70s.

Q. When I was in school, I had the toughest time in ___ class because _____.

A. Science. I just couldn't grasp it no matter how hard I tried.

Q. One of the best teachers I ever had was ____ because _____.

A. Mother Annuciation. She laid it on the line for me. She was a nun who did not take any backtalk and put the fear of God in me.

Q. What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?

A. That I'm a born-again Christian.

Jim LoPiccolo

School: Auburn High School

Position: Custodian

Years with the district: 19