After 26 years behind the wheel of Bus 25, Hamilton Community Schools is saying congratulations and heartfelt thanks to a driver who has done far more than simply transport students from point A to point B.
Kim Wind never expected to spend more than two decades in the driver’s seat.
“I never thought I’d be in the bus at all, let alone 26 years,” Kim shared with a smile.
Shortly after moving to the Hamilton area, she decided to give bus driving a try. “What was it going to hurt to try it? If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t do it anymore.” That simple decision turned into a 26-year career filled with early mornings, lasting friendships, and countless student memories.
For families who have been part of Hamilton Community Schools over the years, particularly in the Bentheim area, Kim has been a steady and familiar presence. She has watched students grow up, graduate, and even return with children of their own.
“There’s a lot of kids that I am now driving their kids. So, it’s just like a full circle. It’s great,” she said.
That full-circle feeling speaks to the impact she has had—not just as a driver, but as a trusted adult in students’ lives. Kim describes the transportation team as “tight-knit,” adding, “Everybody has your back.” It’s that supportive culture that helped make Hamilton feel like home.
Her bubbly personality has been a bright start and end to thousands of school days. Kim understands the importance of her role in students’ routines.
“We are the first people that the kids see and the last one. So, we have to try to make it the best for the kids that we can.”
While she’s quick to admit that bus driving isn’t always easy, she’s just as quick to share how rewarding it is.
“It is not the easiest job to do, but it’s the best job.”
Kim made the decision to retire when she turns 60, with her official retirement coming at the end of February. Though she plans to enjoy sleeping in a little more, she knows saying goodbye won’t be simple.
“It’ll be awesome to sleep in in the morning, but it’ll be really hard to not see my friends here and all the kids on the bus, for sure.”
The good news for the Hamilton community? This isn’t a complete goodbye. Kim hopes to return as a substitute driver for a while, easing her way into retirement. And with seven grandchildren, she will certainly be keeping busy—especially at sporting events.
As Bus 25 makes its final regular routes with Kim at the wheel, we celebrate not just 26 years of safe driving, but 26 years of kindness, consistency, and care.
Thank you, Kim Wind, for being the friendly face in the driver’s seat, for treating every child like they mattered, and for helping generations of Hawkeyes start and end their school days on a positive note.
Want to become a Hamilton bus driver? Apply here! Or call Hamilton transportation to learn more: 269-751-5191.
