How Sheryl Kersmarki Got Started
I have always enjoyed being around children. They need positive role models. I didn't have the greatest childhood but I did have a few adults who I seriously looked up to. They gave me advice, helping me through difficult times. I thought, here is my chance to give back.
I got involved with this work because our daughter was having problems on the school bus for this area. The driver had not stopped a parent from boarding the bus and orally attacking her. My daughter was only in the first grade. Our children weren't getting along. I telephoned transportation to complain about this driver. While speaking to the head of this department, he baited me, 'If you think you can do a better job, come in and fill out an application. We can always use good driver.' I jumped at the challenge. Children need to know someone out there cares, and all students have the right to feel safe on a bus.
The county provides on-the-road training and in class sessions that enable us to get our commercial driver's license, if we pass the class. My trainer was a wonderful lady named Beverly. I was and still am impressed with her knowledge of safety and her ability to care for students.
What the Job Is Really Like
My job is simple. I take students back and forth to school each day safely. Safety comes first with me. You will never see my kids walking or moving around while that bus is rolling.
I also expect that the children will get along with one another. It's a must in my eyes. If a kid has a problem with another child, we work it out with words, not fists. 'Sound too good to be true?' come see us sometime. Just look for the yellow bus that is full of smiling faces and laughter resounding out the windows.
I didn't begin driving a bus for money. It's not something that will make you rich. I earn $6,100 per year as a single route driver. The wealth you take away each day is a smile of a child and a thank-you. I'd drive for just the hugs any day. I drove a little boy a couple of years' back who lived with only his father. The women in his life were few and included only his babysitter, his elementary school teacher, and me. He hugged me twice a day, saying, 'I love you, Ms. K.' Now that is a reward.
To this day, I still have every card, every picture drawn, and every gift given to me. (I kept a cherry lollipop for three years but the sugar broke down and attracted ants. I finally had to throw it away.)
Driving is rewarding. You can make lasting impressions on a child's life. I am big on the importance of education. My kids actually do homework going down the road. By the time they get home, usually it is done. Now they have time to do whatever it is they do after school. They even had paired up to help each other. Sadly, I have driven kids who have dropped out of school. Each one has stayed in touch with me and all have received or are working on their GEDs. They said it was because of me. I don't know if this is the truth, but it sure is nice to think so.
My life has been enriched because of them-all 414 of them. Yes, I can tell you each of their names, but I can't remember the day of the week.
I spend a total of three hours a day on my bus. The rest of the day is mine to write, clean the house, or ride my horse. It is my choice. We have off whenever school is closed, including the summer, and get paid for it. Where else can a person do this? I am home when my daughter arrives home.
The work is never boring. We try to have some fun on my bus. At one time I had an intercom system. We went down the back country roads blasting music from the outside speaker. During hunting season we'd yell out to deer, 'Run Bambi run, hunters are coming/or the kids would bark at dogs to get them out of the road-it was hilarious. Those poor dogs to this day don't chase yellow school buses. We did use the intercom for good things as well. At Christmas time, a different child was chosen every day to read a story to all the other children. This only worked with elementary students. The parties we have had were great. I try to have two parties a year. One for Christmas and the end-of-the-year blowout, we have sodas, cupcakes, cookies, chips, popcorn, pizza whatever the kids decide. I used to make small Christmas stockings with each child's name. I would stuff them with goodies and hang them on the back of the seat in front of them.
There are so many things I like about my job. The freedom it offers is a plus. The relationships built on trust have to be at the top of the list. The children I am lucky to drive have become like my own. I have been big sister, teacher, nurse, doctor, and friend all in one afternoon. I go above and beyond the duties required. I get up early on a snowy morning just to telephone all the students on my roster to let them know if school will be open or not. Most of my kids have parents who work and leave the house before their children do. When someone is out sick or hurt I make sure to phone them with a quick get well call. It only takes a moment of my time to do this but leaves that person feeling cared for.
There are three downsides to this job. One is that there are never enough sub-drivers. Contract drivers have to drive ill or injured. If you need a sub, you'd better phone in quickly. The garage opens around 6:00 A.M., and within five minutes all subs are used. You are out of luck. But if you are lucky enough to get a sub, turn off your telephone. Transportation will hound you to come back in to work.
Driving in inclement weather is also a downside. Wet or icy roads can be dangerous. One minute all is moving smoothly, the next your bus is sliding into a ditch. Thank the man above we don't get much snow here. I'd be in a ditch all the time.
The third downside is getting emotionally attached to the kids. I drove this fabulous girl whose life was cut short in a car accident. She was only thirteen years old. I will always cherish the time she and I shared. She, along with a few other neighborhood kids, gave me a springer spaniel puppy after I had a miscarriage while driving my bus. I'll never forget her words: 'Now maybe you will smile again. We have missed you.' Smile? Oh, I did and then some. That puppy grew into the sweetest dog and still brings joy to my heart every day.
Do I ever get in trouble with supervisors? All the time, but seeing a child's smile and sharing makes it all worthwhile. As long as my kids are safe and feel safe with me, I'll keep doing what I do."
Expert Advice
A person must care for and enjoy being around children of all ages. Your heart must have room for each of your precious cargo. My kids come to me with their problems. I listen to each and advise them where they can seek the proper help. (We aren't allowed to give direct advice, but you try closing your heart to an innocent face.)
Children need praise and need to hear, 'Hey, I'm proud of you!' On my run, I award my students for good grades. All A's earn a can of soda. Even an F gets a piece of gum if that child tried their best. So you see, you have to care.
But you can't wear your heart on your sleeve. Kids can be cruel. Show them respect and they will return it to you tenfold.
It is easy to get started in this line of work. You simply have to telephone the county or city's school board office and inquire about the transportation department. And don't let the size of that bus intimidate you. It is easy to maneuver. The county will not send drivers out on the road until they are at ease behind the wheel. Always put safety first. You have the lives of precious cargo-someone's child-in your hands.
In Gloucester, Virginia, where I work, if you use drugs or alcohol, forget it. You will be wasting your time and theirs. They do random drug and alcohol testing and you are screened before any hiring takes place. How would you like your child being driven to school by a drug user?"
