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Gail Johnson says she has enjoyed her long career as a bus driver for the Valley Center school district.

Bus driver finishes 40th year
Last Updated: May 31, 2018

Love what you do, and you'll never work a day in your life.

Gail Johnson has been driving a school bus for the Valley Center school district since August 1978, and while she enjoys the summers off, she has no plans of leaving the profession she loves anytime soon.

“It is a rewarding job," Johnson said.

Johnson, who won the school district's Superstar Award in the category of classified employee this school year, began her bus-driving career by happenstance.

Johnson was delivering phonebooks to the transportation office in Valley Center 40 years ago when she learned that the school district was in need of drivers. She applied and got the job.

Johnson said her career has taken her many places across the state, including Kansas City, Kan., Liberal and Pittsburg, while driving activity routes.

She said that driving the bus was enjoyable, and it benefited her family as well.

“I got to take them to activities all the way up to the Crayola Factory and to choir concerts," said Johnson. “I had two kids, and they could ride along with me. It took care of the babysitter."

Johnson said life as a bus driver is pretty enjoyable. But a lot has changed since she first started, especially the technology on buses.

“You had to be extremely coordinated," Johnson said. “There was a handle that you had to pull for the stop sign on the bus. Now you push a -button to open the door."

She said buses are far better insulated as well.

“When I first started, I'm surprised we didn't get frostbite," Johnson said.

Johnson's passion for driving a bus fueled a hobby. She has collected hundreds of toy buses and replicas a school buses. She said she has an entire room in her house dedicated to the collection.

“I'm going to say over 1,000 different school bus items," Johnson said.





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