Where I live the new School year for ages K – 12 began on August 13; so we have been in school now for two weeks.
I have been driving for the Cassville R-IV School District in the southwest part of the State of Missouri now for the last 9 years, and started my tenth year. I have a total of 16 years driving with the Cassville School District. With the first stint being from 1984 – 1990.
I quit driving a bus for 12 years, even gave up my CDL for a regular license for a while until I decided I needed to go back to driving a bus. That was in 2003, and I have been driving a bus ever since then.
Actually I am driving for Cassville for my third time. When I came back in ’03 I came in as a sub driver, then was given a route in the beginning of 2004 (January). I left at the end of that school year, moved to Farmington, Missouri, and drove a School bus for the Farmington District for two years, then moved back to Cassville.
Driving a School bus is a challenging job; yet it is rewarding. The reward is watching those kids grow up. I took the route I have now in March of 2007. I now have one student who is the only original student who was riding when I started it. She is a Senior this year. She was a third grader when I started.
It is a difficult job while you are driving, watching the road, tending misbehaving children, and watching for other drivers who are not watching what they are doing.
I guess I am writing this because I know many School Districts are in need of good bus drivers; people who love and care for kids. If you are one of those go to your local School District and talk to them about driving a bus.
If you do it for the money you will not make it. If you do it because of the kids, and you enjoy it. You will do great.
I am writing this from the banks of Flat Creek.
-tim