COVER STORY

“Two Million Miles” from page 1

Each received a plaque recognizing this accomplishment.

Mindset is the key.

“Safety is everything, safety is the reason I am still able to deliver the mail after all these years,” says Thomas.

Aptos Post Office

Employees: 35

Delivery routes: 17

(15 city, 2 rural)

PO Boxes: 2,800

Espinosa says safety was the highlight when she trained newly hired carriers.

Camisa Composti media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator

Cathe Race distribution

Bill Pooley, Taylor Brougham

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

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District Manager Raj Sanghera called their accomplishment “truly remarkable,” adding, “Safety is not just a buzz word, our postal drivers take safety very seriously.”

U.S.P.S. postal drivers log more than 1.5 billion miles annually while delivering to more than 159 million homes and businesses in every city, suburb and town in America.

Read on to find out why Thomas and

Espinosa started working for U.S.P.S. and their advice for young people considering a U.S.P.S. career. n

Q&A with Stacie Espinosa

What motivated you to work for the U.S. Postal Service in the first place?

I was 18 and looking for a change of careers. I worked for McDonald’s for 3 years. Then I checked the Register-Pajaronian want ads and USPS was hiring so I applied. I took my service exam at the Watsonville High School cafeteria and was hired June 1984.

What’s the difference between your job when you started and how your job is now?

We used to start at 6 a.m., now it’s 8 a.m. We had smaller vehicles back then (they looked like ice cream trucks); now they are much bigger. We used to case all letters and magazines; now letters come automated. And routes used to be longer — less ads and parcels. Now since COVID, people prefer to stay home and order packages online.

Then, what has kept you working for the USPS all these years?

I’ve been working with my postal brothers and sisters --my work family-for 39 years and my bigger family is my customers. Being part of that whole community and enjoying what I do is very rewarding.

Can you share a couple of your favorite stories about interacting with customers? I used to give away Lolli pops to children on my route to teach safety when approaching the postal vehicle.

“Espinosa” page 7

Q&A with Debbie Thomas

What motivated you to work for the U.S. Postal Service in the first place?

I previously worked for Solano County, then for the state of California. So, the next step was for the Federal Government.

What’s the difference between your job when you started and how your job is now?

Much less mail and many more parcels, also now everything must have a barcode scan.

Then, what has kept you working for the USPS all these years?

The job security and the benefits.

Can you share a couple of your favorite stories about interacting with customers?

For me, it’s mostly about being appreciated, especially the elderly customers. What’s your best safety tip for avoiding an accident?

Be aware of your surroundings and always watch out for the other drivers.

What advice would you give a young person considering a career with USPS? Hang in there, it does get easier! n

After seven years of leadership, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez — the first biliterate superintendent of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District — is leaving for Stockton Unified School District with 36,000+ students.

Her final day at PVUSD is Friday, June 30.

“To the remarkable Pajaro Valley community that has embraced me over the past seven years, I have a heart filled with gratitude for each and every one of you who have been part of our efforts to improve the lives of our students, our staff, our families and our community,” she said. “Together, we have built a District committed to excellence, resilience, and growth…Though our paths diverge, I carry with me the spirit of the Pajaro Valley, grateful for your support of me personally and for our collective commitment to the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community.”

Those six words — Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community — sum up her philosophy of education. Her goal: To prepare all students for success in life including college and career. She had a commitment to address systemic inequities and a persistent equity lens, positively impacting 19,000 Pajaro Valley students.