Honoring bus drivers for their dedication to student safety and transport, National Bus Driver Appreciation Day on April 28 allowed students to give back to their bus drivers for being a positive constant in their lives.
According to the National Day Calendar, Bus Driver Appreciation Day is nationally recognized annually on the fourth Tuesday in April to applaud school bus drivers for the role they play in students’ daily lives.
“[A] child’s bus driver is the first person [the] child sees during the school day and the last person to say goodbye at the end of the day,” the National Day Calendar said.
According to substitute bus driver Kelly Doughty, many of her passengers “often draw her pictures” to show their appreciation.
“This past year, I was subbing for another bus driver for three days, and this little girl drew me a picture every day with writing that said ‘you’re so nice’ and ‘you have such a nice smile’ and ‘I like that you say good morning to me,” Doughty said.
Similarly, for bus driver Aubrey Pernie, she appreciates when the students just randomly give [her] a drawing or [notes] just to say ‘I was thinking about you.’
“That makes me feel like I’m doing a great job and that [their bus driver] matters to them,” Pernie said.
For Doughty, appreciation for bus drivers can also come in the form of “good mornings,” “thank you, have a good day,” or even a “simple smile” from her passengers.
According to bus driver Nora Shurtz, the drawings from her students are her “favorite part of her job.”
Pernie said that her favorite interactions have stemmed from her conversations with her kindergarten students.
“They are always so happy and smiling,” Pernie said. “They love to tell you what they did over the weekend or what they are going to do and how their day went.”
According to Doughty, her career as a bus driver started out as a “mom job,” but she instantly grew to see her job as “more than that.”
“I thought it was going to be temporary for me,” Doughty said, “but I liked it so much that I’m still here, and it’s 17 years later. It’s just so enjoyable, and I think everybody who does it actually loves their job.”