TODAY’S SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIP: When crossing in front of the bus, stay at least 10 feet ahead and follow the driver’s crossing instructions. And remember to never walk directly behind a school bus!
You recognize the yellow buses. For many students, their school day begins with a bus driver’s greeting. This week, we want you to get to know the people behind the routes! For Jennifer Miller, becoming a school bus driver was about more than finding a job that fit her schedule. It was about finding a way to be present for her family while becoming part of something bigger.
With her own child attending Eisenhower High School, Jennifer wanted to make the most of their final four years together. Family-friendly flexibility has been one of the things Jennifer loves most about driving for Goddard. She enjoys being able to go home between shifts, prepare meals, take care of things around the house and be ready when her own kid comes home from school.
“I wanted to be as involved with my kid in their last four years as possible. I wanted to be present, and the schedule of driving a bus does that.”
But being a bus driver has given Jennifer another kind of presence, too. “I love being the first face and the last face that these students see.”
Jennifer knows that a bus ride can be more than simply getting from one place to another. It can be a chance to start a student's morning with a smile, build a relationship or celebrate a small victory. Last year, Jennifer drove a special needs route and formed meaningful connections with students who were nonverbal. During the ride, she would talk to them about simple things; a tree, a house, whatever they passed along the way.
Then, over time, some of those words started coming back to her. For Jennifer, hearing a student repeat one of those words was a big deal. Jennifer originally chose transportation because it allowed her to be present for her own family.
Along the way, she became part of the daily lives of many other families, too. Jennifer has found a job that allows her to be there for her own family while also becoming an important part of hundreds of other students’ days.
“It’s fantastic and I love it!”
Sometimes, finding the right job means finding one that works for your family, and gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s.
Interested in joining a team that feels like family and making a positive impact in your community? Join the #265Family! Click the link below, or call 316-794-4291, to learn more.
https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/GoddardUSD265?categories=Transportation