Bus driver with power steering.Byline: FACES AND PLACES by The Register-Guard Name: Natalie Gates Occupation: School bus driver District: Springfield Age: 38 Job background: This is her 14th year driving school buses in Springfield. She initially applied just because the hours and benefits appealed to her as a new mom. "I just have stayed," she says. "I like this. I wouldn't be here otherwise." Route: She carries kids to and from Ridgeview Elementary School Ridgeview Elementary School is an elementary school in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The school is operated by School District 45 West Vancouver. The school opened in 1948. , Thurston Middle School and Thurston High School Thurston High School is located in Springfield, Oregon in Lane County. Their mascot is a black colt. Shooting On May 20, 1998, student Kipland "Kip" Kinkel killed his parents, William and Faith, both Spanish teachers at local high schools. . Hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" : Marysville, Wash. Her family moved to Springfield when she was a junior in high school. Family: Divorced; daughter, Mallory, 14, a freshman at Thurston; son, Cameron, 10, a fourth-grader at Ridgeview Elementary. Education: She graduated from Thurston High School in 1983, and attended the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. for three years. She'd hoped to earn a certificate to teach history, but never completed her studies. Claim to fame: Gates is a three-time overall state champion in the annual School Bus Safety Exercise, better known as the "Bus Rodeo rodeo (rō`dēō, rōdā`ō), public exhibition of the skill of cowboys in various activities. Events include riding broncos, riding steers, "bulldogging" steers, roping and tying steers and calves, the use of the lasso, and ." She's qualified for the international competition seven times, twice earning sixth-place awards. About the rodeo: Drivers compete in various events designed to test their skills at maneuvering a 40-foot-long school bus. Events include negotiating a barrel course, stopping as close to a line as possible without crossing it, squeezing through poles set an inch wider than the bus on either side and, of course, parallel parking. Drivers have no chance to test-drive their vehicles, and "every bus is different," Gates says. "You get to adjust your mirrors, that's it." Thanks to district support, team spirit and the organizational efforts of transportation supervisor Theresa Clayton, Springfield is a perennial powerhouse, with 15 to 18 of its 57 drivers competing each year. Two other drivers, Dean Stephens and Jim Harris Jim Harris may refer to:
"At rodeo, everyone wants to beat Springfield because we do so well," Gates says. Why she likes competing: "I've always been a competitive person. I played sports all through school. It was up my alley, I guess." Gates still gets butterflies every time, though. Key to her success: Her boss, Theresa Clayton, says Gates' exceptional driving skills and competitive, positive attitude give her the edge. "She strives to be the very best for herself," Clayton says. Gates says she likes to first look at the course and think ahead about the best ways to negotiate it. Bus driving record: Even though she'd never driven anything bigger than a station wagon when she started, Gates has had only one minor mishap (language) MISHAP - An early system on the IBM 1130. [Listed in CACM 2(5):16, May 1959]. in her years of driving. She backed up into a soft pile of gravel her first year and messed up her bumper a bit. Weekly hours: Between 20 and 40, depending on school schedules. Rewards of the job: "I enjoy the kids. That's why I'm here. If you don't like the kids, you wouldn't do this job. I get to know a lot of them, they talk to you about their lives ... you're kind of like a counselor." Frustrations of the job: "You don't like to have to discipline a child. I know they're good kids." Nor does she relish those rare moments when she has to talk with parents about their kids getting in trouble. Pastimes: She plays on volleyball and softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' leagues, and enjoys working out at the gym. She also likes spending time "Spending Time" is the first single released by Christian artist Stellar Kart. The lyrics describe the band members desire to spend "more time with God". "Sometimes it’s a real struggle to spend time with God. with her children. Car: Hyundai sedan Sedan (sədäN`), town (1990 pop. 22,407), Ardennes dept., NE France, on the Meuse River. A noted textile center since the 16th cent., Sedan also has metal and brewing industries. The town became part of French crown lands in 1642. Favorite movie: She likes the "Star Wars" movies, but no film in particular Favorite reading: Mystery and suspense novels, including Dean R. Koontz Favorite television show: "CSI CSI Crime Scene Investigator CSI CompuServe, Inc. CSI Commodity Systems, Inc. CSI Commodity Systems Inc. (Boca Raton, FL) CSI Crime Scene Investigation (CBS TV show) CSI Christian Schools International : Crime Scene Investigation Crime scene investigation may refer to:
Favorite music: All kinds High school days: She played sports in all three seasons, and was involved in lots of other activities, including band and German club. She had lots of friends and earned As and Bs. Favorite way to relax: Working in the garden - Anne Williams CAPTION(S): Natalie Gates is enjoying her 14th year as a bus driver for Springfield schools. Gates is a three-time overall state champion in the annual School Bus Safety Exercise called the "Bus Rodeo"; she's qualified for the international competition seven times. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion