School bus driver celebrates 25 years behind the wheel
2012 November 15
When Patricia Barnes (pictured) first joined Team HISD back in 1987, Ronald Reagan was president, children were still playing on Atari gaming systems, and The Simpsons was a brand-new television show.
Now, it’s 25 years later, and Barnes, who will mark her anniversary with HISD on Nov. 24, said she was astounded to realize she’s been with the district for a quarter of a century. “It blew me away. That time went by real fast.”
Barnes originally became a bus driver because it was “the best job to have” when raising young children. “But I just liked it and stayed,” she said.
Many HISD employees are also marking milestones next week—see if you know anyone on this list:
25 years
- Wanda Barnes (no relation to Patricia), teaching assistant, Osborne ES
- Ruth Kravetz, teacher, Davis HS
- Debra Mitchell, evaluation specialist, Child Study
- Ana Sosa, clerk, Longfellow ES
20 years
- Saulo Aguilar, teaching assistant, Rodriguez ES
- Johnie Blackwell, teacher, Fonville MS
- Rita Moreno, student information representative, Wesley ES
- Gustavo Ramirez, repairer, Construction & Facilities Services
- Orlando Reyna, painter, Construction & Facilities Services
15 years
- Vernie Dearbonne, assistant principal, Milby HS
- Ram Duvvuri, associate teacher
- Maria Garcia, student information representative, Rucker ES
- Erick Grey, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Damian Ibeh, associate teacher, Transportation Services
- Roderick Jones, teacher, Sharpstown HS
- Martha Sandoval, student information representative, West Briar MS
10 years
- Steven Arocha, repairer, Construction & Facilities Services
- Michael Beard, teacher, Thomas MS
- Yvette Crawford, teacher, Browning ES
- Elton Gonsoulin, crossing guard, Foster ES
- Eldridge Idlebird Jr, custodian, Hartman MS
- Rosetta Reescano bus driver, Transportation Services
- Ronald Richardson, senior HVAC repairer, Construction & Facilities Services
- Stephen Saunders, lecturer, Rusk ES
- Tracy Turpin, teacher, Dodson ES
5 years
- Mardiech Celestine, teacher, Ross ES
- Sonia Cutaia, teacher, Chávez HS
- Sharen Forbes, clerk, Lamar HS
- Maria Kanzig, associate teacher
- Maria Landaverde-Andablo, clerk, Cornelius ES
- Gladys Salinas, clerk, Westside HS
- Tarica Scott, teaching assistant, Milne ES
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