Mrs Bus Driver
06-25-2009, 11:21 PM
Hope this is the right place for this if not please move.
I just wanted to share this. You see I drive a school bus:bus:, been driving for 15 years. Over the years I've done just about everything a school bus driver can do. From route driver, relief driver, field trips, training, 3rd party tester and classroom instructor. I've got to say I do love my job, the kids make all the annoying things about my job worthwhile (you know what I mean the kind of stuff that comes with any job). Right now I am driving special needs. One of the things that really makes me feel good is when I get that student that others have difficulty with and somehow manage to not only get the kid to stay seated but to enjoy the bus ride.
Last week I started a new summer route on the very first day, a student threw a fit and had to be restrained until they could be removed from the bus. Not a good way to start a route but sometimes they like to test us. The student had to wear a kind of restraining device on the bus, at least it was being put on them every day, but when I read the paperwork it said "only as needed." So I talked to the parent and made a deal with the student "as long as you behave I won't put it on you." Next I started singing, I always start with my favorite "The Wheels on the Bus" I find most kids like to sing. On Monday this week my bus aid brought in "Children's classics" cd by Disney She said it would save our voices and the kids ears. After a couple of days of that we needed some variety so I brought in "Disney's Greatest Volume 1" and my "Lion King soundtrack.
Back to my student the one that threw the fit. The entire time on the bus this student never talked, smiled sometimes when we were singing but never sang along. About halfway into the "Disney's Greatest" cd a tune from "Peter Pan" came on, when Peter said:peter: "here we go" the student threw their arms up and yelled "here we go" and has been singing along ever since. this student's favorite song is "You got a Friend in Me" from "Toy Story". :tink: It is so wonderful to see this child smiling and singing I just had to share it. :mickey:
I just wanted to share this. You see I drive a school bus:bus:, been driving for 15 years. Over the years I've done just about everything a school bus driver can do. From route driver, relief driver, field trips, training, 3rd party tester and classroom instructor. I've got to say I do love my job, the kids make all the annoying things about my job worthwhile (you know what I mean the kind of stuff that comes with any job). Right now I am driving special needs. One of the things that really makes me feel good is when I get that student that others have difficulty with and somehow manage to not only get the kid to stay seated but to enjoy the bus ride.
Last week I started a new summer route on the very first day, a student threw a fit and had to be restrained until they could be removed from the bus. Not a good way to start a route but sometimes they like to test us. The student had to wear a kind of restraining device on the bus, at least it was being put on them every day, but when I read the paperwork it said "only as needed." So I talked to the parent and made a deal with the student "as long as you behave I won't put it on you." Next I started singing, I always start with my favorite "The Wheels on the Bus" I find most kids like to sing. On Monday this week my bus aid brought in "Children's classics" cd by Disney She said it would save our voices and the kids ears. After a couple of days of that we needed some variety so I brought in "Disney's Greatest Volume 1" and my "Lion King soundtrack.
Back to my student the one that threw the fit. The entire time on the bus this student never talked, smiled sometimes when we were singing but never sang along. About halfway into the "Disney's Greatest" cd a tune from "Peter Pan" came on, when Peter said:peter: "here we go" the student threw their arms up and yelled "here we go" and has been singing along ever since. this student's favorite song is "You got a Friend in Me" from "Toy Story". :tink: It is so wonderful to see this child smiling and singing I just had to share it. :mickey: