“When I retired the first time I came back because I had no kids to take care of and after 34 years, I didn’t know how to act without having kids around me.”
She began driving bus #18 in Chippewa and later Lakeview because she wanted a career where she could still be there for her own kids.
“I started when my kids were in school, so they were always with me, no babysitter. I was off when they were off, holidays, snow days and summers and still continued to get paid. “
But her own children were not the only kids Banning cared for deeply. She says unlike a teacher, who may have a student for one year of school, she drove kids to school and back home year after year.
“I’d see their home, their surroundings, their parents, sometimes not. I’d see things that teachers don’t and a lot of times I’ve communicated with the teachers that this is what it’s really like at home because that can help them understand a child better.”
Don DeWeese began driving the multi-handicap route from Indian Lake Schools to the Benjamin Logan unit five years ago after retiring from Honda. When a friend at school approached him about driving a bus in retirement, he jumped at the chance to experience a change of pace.
“Working in industry, everything is hurry, hurry. Driving the bus, you don’t want to do that, you want to be patient.”
The retirements of Banning and DeWeese leave Indian Lake Local Schools with an urgent need for bus drivers and subs. Transportation Director Pat Smith says the shortage is a problem for most schools in our area and statewide. Right now one building administrator and one teacher are driving regularly, in addition to every available substitute. Smith says anyone interested in driving a bus should apply by emailing him at [email protected] and requesting a job application.
“Do it for the right reasons…it’s an investment in your future,” Banning advises.
Both DeWeese and Banning say they will miss the daily hugs from students, but they are leaving to make more time for the other kids in their lives. DeWeese plans to travel out west to visit his daughter and grandkids, while Banning plans to babysit her grandchildren.