SAFE TRAVELS : Learn From Two Canon-
McMillan School District Drivers anon-Mac CANON-MAC SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Canon-McMillan School District celebrates its hardworking employees across all departments . While there is much to learn from our top-quality educators , lessons from our dedicated transportation employees can be precious . Meet two transportation superstars : LaVerne Gibbs and Joe Curnarski .
LaVerne Gibbs
LaVerne Gibbs describes herself as a people person . Having worked in mental health services , caretaking positions and now as a van driver , she has always happily worked with people and lent a helping hand to those in need .
Gibbs worked in the cafeteria for two years before transitioning to transportation . Now , she pilots a nine-passenger van safely transporting kindergarteners to
Muse Elementary for Extended Day Services . “ The most rewarding part of my job is just seeing the kids happy ,” she said . “ They ’ re comfortable with me ; I ’ m comfortable with them . They help me ; I help them , and I look forward to it every day .”
To keep the students safe , Gibbs ensures students who need booster seats get them , assists them in entering and exiting the van and also keeps kids safe and buckled in their seats as she drives .
The Gibbs family has a long-standing reputation for their compassionate and helpful nature . Magda Esther Gibbs Brown , Gibbs ' mother , dedicated 18 years to ensuring students ' safety
42 CANON-MAC as a crossing guard . This spirit of service extends throughout the family , with many members having contributed or currently contributing their talents to the District .
“ I like people ,” Gibbs said . “ I ’ m just a people person . I like everybody , helping anybody that needs help .”
Outside of her work , Gibbs resides in North Strabane , has a daughter and grandson and is an usher at Mt . Olive Baptist Church .
“ I love my job , I do ,” she said . “ For me , it ’ s easy , and I love it .”
Joe Curnarski Joe Curnarski is a retired police officer who has embraced his role as a bus driver with Canon-McMillan School District .
Curnarski is a former City of Washington and North Strabane police officer with over 38 years of service . He noticed that many police officers , whether retired or active , drove buses . When he retired , he sought a new opportunity where he could work fewer hours with more flexibility and started working part-time as a bus driver , later transitioning to full-time .
Curnarski became familiar with the schools as a police officer and enjoyed the cooperation of the staff . He thinks of Canon- McMillan as a family , a sentiment that has only strengthened over time . He currently drives for Canon-McMillan High School , Canon-McMillan Middle School , North Strabane Intermediate School and South Central Elementary School .
“ I ’ ve always been treated like family here at Canon Mac ,” he said . “ It ’ s so nice to work in an environment where you ’ re treated respectfully .”
Curnarski explains that being a bus driver requires patience and devoting attention to student safety appropriately while remaining wholly concentrated on the road . He also takes time to educate his passengers on appropriate bus safety . As a mandated reporter , Curnarski must keep his eyes and ears on his surroundings and passengers and never let his concentration waver .
“ Joe ’ s professionalism and dedication to his duties as a driver are unparalleled ,” Jurdon Maier , director of transportation and facilities at Canon-McMillan School District , said .