After greeting children with a warm smile every morning for the last 33? years, bus driver Robin Wood retired from the Oxford School District last Tuesday.
The long-time bus driver said she never thought she’d make it this long at one job.
‘I thought I was just going to be here five years and it just escalated from there,? she said. ‘The years go by so darn fast!?
Wood said she was drawn to becoming a bus driver because it was a ‘great job for a mom.? Spending the afternoons, holidays and summers with her two children, who also attended Oxford schools, was a definite bonus.
Woods has driven all over the district for regular education students and more recently with special needs students and kindergarteners.
‘It was getting close to my 30th year and I was getting tired of driving the big bus,? she said. ‘I wanted to try something different.?
In her 30-plus years in Oxford, Woods spent 20 years training new bus drivers and taught elementary students about bus safety, which she said was one of her favorite moments.
Char Podzikowski, Oxford Transportation Department Supervisor, said Woods has a ‘great personality? and ‘great attitude? that worked well with the kids.
‘She’ll be missed,? she said.
Although she admits she’ll miss the students the most, Wood said she’s ‘really ready? to retire.
She and her husband Bryce plan on eventually moving to Tennessee to spend time with their two children and four grandchildren.