Every day, thousands of students walk into Ottawa’s schools without giving a second thought to the manicured lawns, the neatly trimmed bushes, or the safe, well-maintained playgrounds where they spend their recess. But none of it happens by accident. Behind the scenes, people like Glenn Mann work tirelessly to make sure the schools look great, function well, and give students a sense of pride in the place where they learn.

Glenn has been with the Ottawa school district for 14 years, working in maintenance and landscaping across all five schools. He’s the kind of person who thrives on problem-solving, adaptability, and hard work, and he takes immense pride in keeping the district’s outdoor spaces in top shape. His job isn’t just about cutting grass—it’s about making the schools feel welcoming, ensuring safety, and creating an environment where students and staff can focus on what really matters.

“I’ve worked in a lot of places,” Glenn says. “But this job? I love it. I go to bed every night looking forward to coming to work the next day.”

Glenn grew up just south of Ottawa in Grand Ridge and attended Grand Ridge Grade School before moving on to Ottawa High School. After spending 27 years in the lumber industry, he found himself needing to pivot when the company he worked for closed in 2010. That’s when he started doing part-time maintenance work for the district, following in the footsteps of his father, who had done the same after retirement.

Over time, his role grew, and when Central School was built, Glenn’s position became full-time. He’s been with the district ever since, taking on whatever challenges come his way.

“There’s no such thing as a typical day,” Glenn explains. “I might have a plan in place, but in this line of work, something always comes up that needs attention.”

That’s the nature of maintenance work. Things break. Problems arise. And someone has to step in and make sure things get done.

Glenn is not one to seek recognition, but his impact is undeniable. He credits the team around him for making everything run smoothly. “It’s not just me,” he says. “I’ve got a helper year-round, and in the summer, we bring in four or five college kids. Plus, the custodians at each school pitch in. It’s a team effort.”

Even as a leader, Glenn leads by example. He never asks anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. “I’ll take on the dirty jobs,” he says. “I don’t need recognition for that. It’s just how I am.”

Though he works mostly outside, Glenn still crosses paths with students. He might not be in the classrooms daily like teachers and custodians, but over the years, students have come to recognize him.

“I’ll be out somewhere—at Farm & Fleet or around town—and kids will come up and say, ‘You’re the guy that works at Central and Shepherd, right?’” Glenn laughs. “They remember me, even if I don’t always remember them. But that’s what makes this job special—you get to be part of something bigger than just the work you do.”

Glenn’s commitment to the district runs deep, but so does his connection to the Ottawa community. His wife works as a school secretary, his sister works in bookkeeping for the district, and his son spent a year teaching at Marquette Academy.

“It’s kind of in our blood,” Glenn admits. “Education, schools, giving back—it’s all intertwined in my family.”

Though he loves his job, Glenn is also looking ahead. He’s turning 61 soon and has started thinking about retirement—not because he wants to stop working, but because he and his wife have never had the chance to travel.

“We haven’t taken many vacations,” he says. “Sometime after I turn 62, I’d like to have a little more freedom to do that. I don’t want to just quit working—I’ll still be doing something, whether it’s helping my son with farming or picking up a part-time job. But I’d like to take some time for us.”

Still, he’s in no hurry to leave.

“This town—it’s home,” Glenn says. “The people here, the way folks step up and help out, whether it’s in the schools or at church, it’s just a good place to be.”

He loves the small-town feel of Ottawa, the way people volunteer and take care of each other, and even the simple joys of watching the river flow at Allen Park on a weekend afternoon.

“There’s something about this place,” he says. “We’ve got Starved Rock, we’ve got history, and if you ever need to go anywhere, you’re close to the interstate. It’s the perfect place to live.”

And thanks to people like Glenn Mann, it’s also the perfect place to go to school.