Aiden Fender is not a fan of change and his Nana was a bit worried what would happen when he suddenly had a new bus driver.
The new driver was Joseph Lumbrix, who has a long history as an educator and principal. Lumbrix knew he needed to develop a relationship with young Aiden so he bought a book on zoo animals and went to Aiden’s house.
Aiden is 4 years old and in the Head Start program at the Carroll County Child Development Center.
“I thought it was sweet but shocking,” said Anita Sullivan, known as Nana to Aiden and all the Head Start staff. “It was excellent. I’ve never seen anyone go out of their way, especially on a Saturday.” She noted Lumbrix has a family of his own and could have been spending time with his grandchildren, but he chose to come to Aiden.
Lumbrix came to the home, read a book with Aiden and, when he left, they were buddies.
“They received me like I was family,” Lumbrix said. He noted as an educator he learned how important it is to establish communication with a family and he used the same approach in this instance.
Aiden has been through a lot of changes in his young life and struggles each time, according to Sullivan.
“He just loves Joe,” Sullivan said. “When he runs for the bus you know it’s a good thing.”
The first day Lumbrix drove Aiden’s bus he put a book on the little boy’s seat for him to look at while he was being driven to school. It was a smooth ride on day one and has been since Lumbrix took the wheel in early January.
Aiden’s excitement to see Lumbrix was clear by the big smile on his face as he walked down the hallway at Head Start and spotted Lumbrix and Nana waiting for him. He walked right to the bus with Lumbrix and went straight to his seat in the back of the bus.
The two sat together in the bus seat and read a book before it was time for the others to board the bus.
“He has great potential,” Lumbrix said with a smile. “I was happy to invest some of my personal time to help Aiden and his family with this adjustment.”