In only his second year as an Ector County ISD bus driver, Sammy Hostetter has won the Transportation Employee of the Year award.
“I was really honored. I was really humbled and really surprised,” Hostetter said.
He added that everyone in the Transportation Department deserves employee of the year honors because they put in the work and do their jobs to the fullest.
Hostetter said he’s going to continue doing what he’s doing, performing his job to its fullest and keep it consistent.
“No sense in changing,” he said. “I’m there when they need me to do anything. I’m there to do anything extra.”
Hostetter was previously a driver for Frito Lay for 21 years, delivering to grocery and convenience stores. His daughter is a teacher for ECISD and told him about bus driving.
He added that he likes working with youngsters and has two of his own.
“I have enjoyed it tremendously, so I’ve had no issues at all,” Hostetter said.
His route includes Murry Fly Elementary, Crockett Middle School and Odessa High School. Hostetter said he also drives activity buses for athletics and band trips, for example.
“I do activities when necessary. They call me to do trips out of town. I take kids to Lubbock, Abilene. I’ve done trips to Dallas … I really extremely enjoy that also,” Hostetter said.
He also drives the equipment van to the field for football.
Hostetter added that he enjoys the Transportation Department staff.
“It’s like working with … family. … Everybody helps each other out, so that’s another reason I’m here is because of that. I really truly enjoy that. Plus, you know, the kiddos. I’ve enjoyed working with the kiddos … They’re superb … I’ve never had issues on my route. The way I look at it, if you take care of any issues on the route … you don’t have a problem. I’ve had no problems on my route since I’ve been here,” he said.
“Parents get along with me. I’ve had no issues with parents,” Hostetter added.
He said he’s planning to be at ECISD for a while and feels he’s found the perfect job.
“Basically when school’s out, you’re off so that gives me flexibility to still do what you want,” Hostetter added.
The split shift also is useful because he works in the mornings and can do errands and come back at 2:30 p.m. for his afternoon shift.
Hostetter’s mother is from Argentina and his father is from Odessa. He was born in Colombia, lived all over the world growing up — Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Cairo, Egypt, and the Canary Islands as examples.
Hostetter is a 1981 graduate of Odessa High School. He and his wife, Celeste, have been married for nearly 39 years and were high school sweethearts. They have two daughters. One is a teacher at Pease Elementary School and the other is a registered nurse.
Criselda Espinoza, driver supervisor/West Side, said she is proud of Hostetter.
“He is a very good worker. He’s always here; almost almost perfect attendance,” Espinoza said.
She added that the award was well deserved and that he works very well with the students and is very professional.
“He takes care of his kids and the parents. If there’s a problem, he fixes it very quickly and professionally,” Espinoza said.
