In an earlier post, I published a list of Top-10 list of reasons why public transit is a great career. To balance the books, I'm now presenting a list of reasons why working in pupil transportation is a great career. With the help of some of my school bus friends, here are many great reasons to be involved in transporting students to and from school (and extracurricular events):
Working with dedicated and caring staff. Working with very supportive vendors who are informative and helpful. Opportunities for training. Available time over the summer and on holidays to spend with family. Flexible schedule. Great support from our district leadership team.
Sam Davila
Director of Transportation
Conroe Independent School District, Texas
The people. I've been fortunate to travel in many States and conduct worshops and presentations for drivers, transportation directors, and school officials. A common demoninator is the willingness of the people, no matter whether they are a beginner or veteran in their duties, is to share their information and knowledge with each other. This collegiality is the silent power in the school transportation.
Pete Baxter
Director, Pupil Transportation
Indiana Department of Education
School bus drivers and bus attendants (aides, monitors, etc.) are in the unique position to reflect a caring attitude by adults toward children -- a quality that often is missing in the lives of the children we serve. From my standpoint as trainer, presenter and consultant, sharing this message with drivers and attendants and focusing on their roles in the lives of their passengers has been especially rewarding. We all can help prepare our youth for their future as adults. As stated by IBM, “Children are a message we send to a time we shall not see.” We have the privilege of helping to shape the future through our youth. How much better does it get?!
George Horne
President
Horne Enterprises
It's the people! There is no other organization that networks like we do. Going to a conference is like going to a family reunion! Ask any vendor who is fairly new to our industry and you will see the sheer wonder of it -- and they love it! Look around at conferences and you will see true friendships that have formed through mutual respect and core values, from the same basic mission of learning all we can from each other in order to provide the best service we can to children we transport. And if we do not know the answer, there is always someone at a neighboring district or in a neighboring state that is willing to help out and share. It's the bus drivers who cannot wait to compete in the school bus safety roadeos and the special-needs drivers and attendants who deeply love their special riders. Mechanics drive routes and know that it is just one more part of the job, one that makes them appreciate that safety depends on them. It's the people!
Marisa Weisinger
Technical Specialist
Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas
We face so many challenges, and they are so diverse, that it makes each day exciting. Pupil management situations, fleet logistical issues and direct communication with the public mean no two days are the same. Because it is so difficult, it's especially satisfying when it runs smoothly.
Cliff Berchtold
Director of Transportation
Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, New York
See that kid getting off the bus at his or her school? Yeah, that one, the one that arrived safe and sound, with a smile on their face and a bright future ahead of them. What better reason to be in school transportation than knowing that I helped do this!
Max Christensen
State Director of School Transportation
Iowa Department of Education
Beyond the obvious safe transportation of children to and from school, a school bus driver can establish a unique and positive relationship with all the students that ride his or her school bus. The school bus environment affords driver and passenger and opportunity to establish a one-of-a-kind adult to young person connection. This allows the school bus driver a rare entre into the lives of young people. The impact of this special relationship is life long and life changing. How many jobs offer that kind of benefit?
Mac Dashney
Pupil Transportation Consultant
Self-employed
Working with the students can be delightful. You see and hear the funniest things from them.
Valerie Meyer
Transportation Coordinator
Texas School for the Deaf
As anyone in public pupil transportation will attest, if you had to document precisely how to accomplish the task -- you couldn't do it! So, one great reason is: accomplishing the safe, efficient transportation of students that, on paper, is impossible!
Rich Hansen
Owner
TyBEG, LLC
A new challenge every day!
L. Karen Gullett
Director of Transportation
Montgomery County Board of Education, Kentucky
Watching kids grow and learn is awesome.
Ralph Knight
Director of Transportation
Napa Valley Unified School District, California
It is the people. I have never worked with a group of people who are as kind and caring as bus drivers and other transportation service providers. Rarely, if ever, do you find someone who is just working “for the money.” These people love kids and have a great time teaching, encouraging, leading and supporting the educational and athletic efforts of children. Besides all that, they love their “big yellow bus.” I thank each and every one of these special people for what they do every day for our kids.
Maxine Mougeot
State Director for Pupil Transportation
State of Montana
Working with special-needs children. The feeling of getting them to school, so that they are able to enjoy feeling part of the education system. No matter what their handicap is. It has its daily rewards in some shape or form.
Yolanda Suarez
Contract Manager
First Student
As bus drivers we are part of the educational process and therefore are a part of the students' daily routine. The age differences of the students also makes for great conversation as we communicate with the students about their daily routines at school and sometimes home. The bus driver is the first connection for the students each day in the educational process and the last one to see them as they are delivered to their homes each afternoon. The driver sometimes must be parent and teacher combined. There is a great deal of satisfaction knowing that school bus drivers are a contributing factor in helping students get through the educational process.
Ron Chew
President
Indiana State School Bus Drivers Association
I would add that our job is truly historic in nature because somewhere along some route, standing on a sidewalk, at the end of a driveway in the heat of a blistering day or under a rain soaked hoodie is a future leader of our country, a doctor or a scientist who will find that elusive cure. You never know, there may stand a future President of the United States.
Lionel Pinn
Transportation Director
Centralia/Chehalis Pupil Transportation Co-op, Washington
If you'd like to add your comments to this list, just e-mail them to steve.hirano@TransitTalent.com or post them as a comment below.
Until next time,
Steve
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