Longtime Ector County ISD bus attendant Belinda Galindo loves her job.
She has been with the district for 22 years, 16 of which as a special needs lift bus attendant.
“I make sure that they’re sitting in their seat and they have their seat belt on to be safe and if they need the shoes tied, their nose cleaned, I keep an eye on them …,” Galindo said.
She was a monitor for prekindergarten students and one of her bosses said she would be good as a lift bus monitor.
Recently, she was honored with the Transportation Employee of the Year Award.
“I couldn’t believe it, girl,” Galindo said. “I was just stunned. I said, me? There’s a lot of people here, you know, they work hard. I just couldn’t believe it, but I’m honored to get it. I was grateful when they came the other day to give me my award. I was happy. Everybody came from downtown.”
In May, top officials from ECISD traveled through the district stopping to laud honorees with balloons, placards, kazoos and more.
“I was in shock because I didn’t think a lot of people are going to come downtown for this. I was just surprised, but happy because it made me feel very special, me working for them and and me working with my special needs kids. I love kids. They just think I’m so funny,” Galindo said.
The children are what she enjoys most about her job.
“Just being here and seeing them every morning with their big smiles; seeing them happy. When they get on my bus, they get me, they get happy to see me. The parents are so great with me, too, because they know that I pay attention to their kids,” Galindo said.
Galindo has two grown children and three grandchildren.
Sepharine Bugayong, driver supervisor, said Galindo has exactly what it takes to work with special needs students.
“She has learned to adapt to each students’ special needs. She has patience, a kind heart, (and) love and compassion for her students. She loves to make her students laugh and smile. Some of her students have mobility issues; she makes sure she is always there to assist them and keep them safe during their bus ride,” Bugayong said in a statement.
“She greets her students and parents by name and with a big smile. ECISD Transportation is very blessed to have her on board,” she added.
Galindo said Bugayong is very good to her.
“They’re all good. Everybody’s nice. I like to get along with everybody. I like to come in the morning and say good morning to everybody. I leave my problems at home and bring my happiness to work,” she added.
