FRISCO, Texas — Every school morning, while the birds are still chirping, Tamara Buss takes her post at the corner of Kings Ridge Road and Huntington Road in Frisco.
The beloved crossing guard takes her job seriously, but not so much her attire. When WFAA met "Ms. Tammy," as she’s called, she was dressed as Cat in the Hat.
“It is Read Across America Week and today is hat day, so I decided to go all out,” Buss said.
She’s got an outfit for just about every holiday, proudly sharing, “Oh, I have everything. I got Christmas costumes. This week, I’ll be Rainbow Brite tomorrow, then I’ll be the Spring Fairy because it’s spring break. I have a scarecrow costume I wear for fall break, and last year, I was a snowman for winter break.”
Buss also has a special way of getting hurried drivers, who may be tempted to speed through her corner, to slow down.
“I just wave and wave and wave and eventually they give in,” she laughed.
Kids at Christie Elementary didn’t hold back telling WFAA what makes Ms. Tammy so special to them.
“She lightens people’s day by saying kind words,” Kori said.
“She made me feel like even if I was mad, I would be happy,” Nyashah added.
Star, the smallest of the students WFAA talked to just loves her, “Hat!”
“She makes me feel like, kind of almost, energetic because she’s also giving off that vibe to everyone else,” Spencer emphasized, “it makes her happy and it makes me happy too.”
Even parents at the school couldn’t wait to talk about Ms. Tammy. Lauren Greener shared that Buss' warmth means "everything."
"You want your kid to feel like they belong in their school environment, and you want them to feel like they’re welcomed and like it’s a warm, happy, safe place to be and she brings that to Christie 1000 percent, every day,” Greener told WFAA.
Buss believes bringing smiles to the people she sees every day, helps her get through the day.
“I suffer from a little bit of depression but, after a day with my kids, everybody waving at me… it goes away,” Buss said softly.
She said the costume stays on all day, and she’s given no thought to retirement!
“I want to be somebody that ... I remember her, because she made me smile,” Buss said.
Assistant Principal Abby Bryant said Buss is pretty unforgettable for the people at Christie Elementary.
“Just the warmness and sincerity she greets every student and staff member and parent. She’s irreplaceable and we feel so fortunate and blessed,” Bryant said.
Frisco ISD has 25 open positions for crossing guards. The pay starts at $15 per hour, and employees children can attend FISD schools. If you’re interested in applying, click this link.
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