On a rainy Friday afternoon, we joined bus driver John Crawford for a ride home from Irene Reither Elementary and it didn’t take long to see the impact he has on students.
John greets students by name, checks in with families at bus stops, and keeps the ride running smoothly with a “magic word” chosen by students each year. This year’s word is “banana.” It’s a small tradition that gives students a sense of ownership and helps create a positive culture on the bus. When students hear him say “banana” they know they need to be quiet and listen.
Along the route, we observed the unique challenges of being a bus driver. As a teacher, students are in front of you. As a paraeducator, they’re beside you. As a bus driver, they’re sitting behind you while you navigate traffic and stay focused on the road.
We saw firsthand how intentional John is about building relationships, creating a positive bus environment, managing behavior, and keeping students safe. He is constantly alert, balancing the needs of the students on board with the responsibility of getting everyone to and from school safely.
With everything happening inside and outside the bus, drivers like John still make sure students arrive safely and on time each day.
Thank you for showing us how One Team. One Purpose. comes to life every day.