.jpg)
Employee of the Week - Tawaiin Harper
November 7-11, 2022
Dan River High School is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Tawaiin Harper, Bus Driver and Coach, as its Employee of the Week!
In many cases, pre-dawn to late evening, this bus driver’s responsibilities are vital to regular school operations, athletic competitions, and field trips. With him, students have a safe and welcoming environment to begin and end their days.
Mr. Harper is a proud 1978 graduate of Dan River High School. After high school, he spent 15 years at Goodyear. While there, he also attended school for cosmetology. Now, he and his wife, Angela, own a barber shop/salon called One Cut Ahead. When his children started school at DRHS, he began his bus driving career. What was supposed to be a part-time job, turned into a full-time occupation. In addition to driving the bus and running a shop, he is the designated on-site barber for Hargrave Military Academy. Mr. Harper and his wife, Angela are proud parents to two Wildcats alumni, Carlos and Nicole.
As for coaching, Mr. Harper started with football for Danville City’s youth league. He also coached basketball at the YMCA and Twin Springs. Once he joined the Dan River staff, he began coaching girls basketball. In total, he has devoted roughly 15 years to mentoring youth in this capacity.
When asked his “why” Mr. Harper said he loves working with kids and enjoys investing in his community. Mr. Harper’s advice to those who may be new to driving a bus or working with students is to “go with the flow.” He believes it is important to understand young people where they are today and offers himself as someone who they can trust for support.
We are so fortunate that Mr. Harper is forever a part of our Wildcat family!