Prosper ISD transportation staff pose with transportation director Teri Mapengo (wearing stop sign). Pictured behind her, from left. Jarred Labinski, Heather Disney, John De Los Santos, Amy Nelis, Jay Nelis, Robert Johnson, and June Alley.
what I did mattered. By focusing on making others feel valued. When employees know their work matters and that they are seen, they give their very best. And when the community recognizes the significance of what we do, it elevates all of us,” Mapengo continued. “That single simple moment continues to guide me. It is proof that the little things—kind words, patience, connection—are never little at all.” Rosa shared a story of how one of her school bus driv- ers had been stressed during her CDL training and had told her family members that she feared she wouldn’t be able to get the license. She did succeed and later thanked Rosa for having her back. “Through tears, she told me if it wasn’t for my encour- agement and support, she would not have continued pursuing the license and bus driving career. To this day she is one of the most conscientious drivers on our staff and one who always goes the extra mile to ensure stu- dent safety,” Rosa added. “In that simple moment I found the value helping someone find out just how incredible they can really become.” Hayn said that he was inspired by Petz’s statement that
leaders should encourage their staff to remember they are never “just” anything, which is crucial on the days when work is a struggle. “I don’t know that there was one incident or one deci-
sion or one moment where it kind of transitioned,” but he said he recognized that there were small things he could do that would make a significant difference, and
36 School Transportation News • OCTOBER 2025
he has continued to keep that as his focus. Hollas shared a story of when one of his drivers came
into his office in the middle of the day saying that he needed to quit, due to the stresses of managing the stu- dents on his route. Hollas was in the middle of dealing with needing to take another driver off their route due to unsafe operation and was going to be left with two un- covered afternoon routes. In the middle of that tense and highly stressful situation and even though he was panick- ing, he responded to the driver with understanding. “Man, I understand that. And I’m glad you tried out.
You know, I wish it would have worked out, and I wish you the best. And I understand, you know, no hard feel- ings,” Hollas recalled saying. As he raced to try and find substitutes, 15 minutes
later, the driver walked back in and said he was going to stick it out because he saw Hollas working so hard to make the department better. Hollas said this moment made a lasting impression
on him. And it must have done the same for the driver because he not only is still a driver but has become a “unicorn” employee, helping with school bus mainte- nance in between routes. “I’ve seen really good leaders and I’ve seen really ter- rible leaders and it kind of gives me a roadmap of when I’m faced with something [challenging],: said Hollas, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army. “How do you treat peo- ple? Take care of the person first, and they’ll be a good employee.” ●
PHOTO COURTESY OF TERI MAPENGO
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
