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CURRICULUM CONNECTION: WHAT ' S NEW IN OUR DISTRICT? t
A DAY IN THE LIFE:
Why One Local Driver Loves the Bus
For Bridget Williams, that leap of faith led to what she now calls the best job of her life. illcreek
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
“ There’ s a lot about me that makes no sense why I drive a school bus, but you don’ t know if you don’ t try.”
Bridget became a Millcreek Township School District school bus driver in 2021, as the world cautiously reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic. At 53 years old and after exploring several careers, she never expected to find her favorite job behind the wheel of a bright yellow bus.
“ I stuck with it, and it was the best decision I ever made,” she said.“ In my entire career, this is my favorite job I’ ve ever had.”
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Before driving a bus, Bridget owned a bridal business, drove limousines, and worked toward a second degree in event planning. When the pandemic canceled events and froze hiring, she wasn’ t sure what came next. That’ s when a friend suggested she try driving a school bus to help meet a growing need for local students.
Through First Student, drivers receive paid training and support to earn their commercial driver’ s license( CDL).“ It’ s a lot of work to become a bus driver,” Bridget said.“ You can’ t be a bus driver halfway.”
While the process is rigorous, Bridget says the rewards are worth it.“ Typically I’ ve got 60 to 68 little faces on a route,” she said.“ They look forward to seeing me, and I look forward to seeing them. They say,‘ Hi, Ms. Bridget!’”
Students often show their appreciation with drawings and cards, but for Bridget, simple thank-yous mean the most.“ It’ s a big deal when we’ re thanked,” she said.“ A little bit goes a long way and I don’ t expect anything. I’ m just doing my job.”
One of the biggest perks of the job is the schedule. Drivers enjoy weekends, holidays, school breaks, summers off, and a mid-day break. Some use that time to run errands, schedule appointments, or recharge, while others take on extra routes such as field trips or vocational school transportation.
“ There are a lot of options,” Bridget said.“ If you want to work more, you can. If you don’ t, you don’ t have to.”
Bridget chose to become a trainer, helping new drivers through licensing and testing. Once training is complete, the job becomes comfortably routine, which is something she appreciates.“ I’ m a creature of habit, so I love that,” she said.“ Besides weather and traffic, not much changes.”