Banks Junior High

Ella Banks is a former Lamar CISD bus driver that recently retired but “treated her job assignment as though she was the CEO day after day.” She ensured hundreds of students made it to and from school, field trips and athletic events safely and took her position as an honorable opportunity to serve others. There are countless stories from her former students, families and coworkers on her heart of gold, passion and dedication to Lamar CISD. Banks clearly possessed an unwavering ability to “make everybody feel like a somebody,” and for the past 40 years our Fulshear students were lucky to experience her daily compassion and encouragement.

Banks made it her personal mission to not only know each of the students on her route by name, but to KNOW each student. She knew what they liked, their birthdays, which house was theirs, had met most of their parents and so much more year after year. There are stories of her stopping on the side of the road to help her families, former students and strangers. There are stories of her texting former students and families to check in, share encouragement for birthdays and more. There are stories of Banks going out of her way to appear at talent shows, sporting events, holidays, dinners and so much more. She has put everything into dedicating her life to making other people feel seen and special.

As a bus driver, Banks went so far beyond her job requirements on a daily basis and performed her job with the utmost integrity. Parents often stated that her willingness to support their kids was reassuring and they couldn’t express just how thankful they were for her commitment to keeping their kids safe each day. Through numerous stories and recollections of interactions with Banks, she is described as “the replica of what a generation should do for the one coming afterwards.” Ella Banks has given her life to making sure her community feels loved, and it’s clear our community loves Ella Banks right back.