I’ve often heard people in the pupil transportation industry say that the school bus is an extension of the classroom.

I tend to agree. And in the same way that teachers can make a lasting impact on their students, bus drivers often do the same with their passengers.

An editorial that I came across online recently provides strong evidence for that statement. Edward Grinnan, editor-in-chief of Guideposts magazine, describes a bus driver from his youth who taught him some valuable lessons about authority, fairness and compassion.

The driver “was as important to my education as any teacher,” Grinnan says. Take a look at the full story here. I think you’ll find it inspiring.

The story led me to reminisce about my bus driver from my school days in Oregon. While she wasn’t one of the more cheerful people I’ve met, she was professional and exercised good control over us students, at least a few of whom had a tendency toward troublemaking.

And that’s one of the most important impacts a driver can have on her passengers: Maintaining a safe and orderly environment in a setting that could quickly turn to chaos.

Have an interesting story about a childhood driver of yours? Let us know in the comments section below.

Until next time,

Tom

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Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

SCHOOL BUS FLEET

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