New Braunfels ISD school bus driver Ruth Castro has been named Driver of the Year by the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation. She was recognized at a Board of Trustees meeting that was held on Monday, May 8.
Castro wanted to recognize all of the district’s bus drivers and their commitment to children, saying they all deserve the award.

“Ruth has a heart for children and loves our kids,” said NBISD Transportation Director Brian Gibson. “I wish we had 100 Ruth’s…She has a passionate heart.”

Castro was nominated for the award by her co-workers. Every year, TAPT has an award for Driver of the Year, which recognizes a top bus driver from a school district from across the state. The award winners are recognized during the organization’s annual conference.

“She is an amazing driver,” Gibson said. “It speaks volumes about this department and all of you that we consistently are winning awards for the hard work we put in not only getting our kids to and from school but taking the time to know our kids, build relationships and going the extra mile.”

She began with NBISD as a regular bus driver and then switched to a special needs driver when a position became available. Castro then willingly gave up her special needs route to return to a regular route when Covid forced so many regular drivers to resign. NBISD had a shortage of regular drivers, and she drove her own route and others. Now, Castro has a special route assignment in which she transports 45 pre-k students everyday.

Castro will be presented her award at the TAPT conference in The Woodlands this summer.