Through the ever-changing Central Florida weather, for 46 full years Glenda Klein has been delivering Osceola School District’s most precious cargo to and from school.
“Times have definitely changed,” Klein observed. “Kids are different, there are many more schools and many more students. The demographics have changed, now we have people of all colors and races.
“It’s been a big cultural change, but I still love my job.”
In 1962, Klein moved from Lake Worth, located on the Atlantic coast north of Miami, to St. Cloud, south of Orlando. “My father was a farmer and St. Cloud was perfect for him,” she recalled.
At the age of 26, Klein started driving a school bus for the nearby Osceola County School District and retires Friday at the age of 73.
“I will dance and jam my way out, but I understand I need to find other things to keep myself busy,” she said. “I have learned so much from all of the students I’ve driven over the years. It’s just about the right time.”
Klein graduated from Osceola’s St. Cloud High School in 1965 and started helping her father on the farm by driving heavy trucks.
“For me, driving a bus was very easy. My major concern was always keeping my precious cargo safe,” Kline explained.
“The first week wasn’t so good,” she continued. “There would be children arguing, acting up. I had to manage it and keep it under control.”
Learning her stops and remembering the number of children riding her school bus was nerve-racking. “Every day I prayed not to lose any of my students,” Kline said.
In August 2005, Klein was involved in a major crash. “According to police, the young man was out on a meth trip and passed out on the steering wheel,” Klein said. “He hit my bus at a very high speed. Luckily, my students and I were fine, but the young man was badly hurt.”
“Three months, later I found out he had dated one of my nieces,” she chuckled.
After losing her husband of many years to pneumonia, driving a school bus became her salvation. “He was being treated and only lasted two months,” she shared “At that point, my students, the people who knew me, my coworkers, they were my therapy.”
Arby Creach, director of the Osceola School District transportation department, said he will remember Klein as an incredibly dedicated pioneer of transportation and a true champion for children’s safety.
Supervisor of Operations Lisa Palmer said that Klein is a true school transportation icon who has served general education and exceptional student education students for Osceola County for 46 years.
“She has shown great compassion and love for her students, parents and co-workers throughout her career with Osceola County School Transportation. She will be truly missed,” Palmer said.
Klein’s school bus days begin at dawn, and she said it will be an adjustment not having that daily routine anymore.
“I get up, feed my dogs, fix a good breakfast and immediately head to the facility to begin my daily routine—warming up the bus, doing my daily inspections,” Klein explained. “Yes, it will be different not getting up so early every day.”
Klein continued, “My bus is a rolling classroom. My students pay attention and follow my rules. They just relax. One very important thing about my years of driving is that I have met multiple families. Everyone knows me, and when they see me, they remember me and say hello. I am blessed. I knew most of my students by name and they loved it. Knowing their name made a huge difference.”
Klein gives lasting advice to other bus drivers as she heads out for retirement. “Always be kind and smile. Pay attention, relax, and get to know your kids as quickly as you can. Always speak to them. Show them you care. They may not say anything back, but they’ll get the message.”
Editor’s Note: Miguel Perez is the public relations specialist for the Osceola School District Transportation Department.
