Every school morning, Principal Thomas Spears of Howard Elementary School in Gallatin greets his students with a smile as they board the bus. He is one of the first faces they see and one of the last as he drops them off at home each day.

Thomas began driving a school bus two years ago as an assistant principal, and he enjoyed it so much that he has continued to drive after becoming principal at Howard this year.

“I really enjoy getting to know the parents and especially getting to know the kids on the way to and from school,” he says. “In the beginning, I thought the benefits would be worthwhile, but it has really paid off in terms of my relationship with them.”

After experiencing it for himself, Thomas has nothing but praise for those who work in transportation.

“We have we have the best bus drivers, in my opinion, and our transportation department is second to none,” he proclaims. “These drivers care so much and put so much effort into what they're doing. The job requires a lot of multitasking, and they deserve lots of credit for being able to do a difficult job with so many moving parts.”

Thomas understands filling the gap between the number of bus drivers needed and the number currently on the roster means he’s tasked with ensuring the safety of his students, a responsibility he relishes.

“Getting to interact with the kids is one thing, but knowing everyone made it home safely, that’s another,” he explains. “We have 550 kids at Howard, and when I get to say I personally know 20 percent of them made it home because I watched them do it … as a principal, that's pretty rewarding.”

Contrary to what one might think, Thomas isn’t the only school administrator in Sumner County to pitch in and drive a bus route. Perry Morgan, Assistant Principal at Madison Creek Elementary in Goodlettsville, also began driving a bus route this year.

“I think it builds up the rapport between students and staff,” says Perry. “I really enjoy it because I get to see the kids and they get to see me. If I can help make their mornings better, it makes their day better, and that makes every person they come in contact with have a better day.”

In addition to principals and assistant principals, teachers have stepped in to meet the transportation needs. One of those teachers is Darrick York, who leads Physical Education classes at Clyde Riggs Elementary School in Portland.

“I'm currently in my second year of driving the bus, and when I signed up to do it there were about 50 open positions,” Darrick says. “I thought that offering to drive would help them out a little bit, but now I think it helps me be a better teacher because you see a little more of where the kids come from. We've got over 300 kids at school, but as a teacher you don't really know much about them. Driving the bus changes that.”

Throughout the district, several teachers have answered the call to support the transportation department. Brothers Mike and Scotty Madison, teachers from Westmoreland High School and Liberty Creek High School, respectively, are also driving school bus routes this year, in addition to teachers from Gallatin High School.

Great leadership comes from the top down, and the best leaders lead by example.

“One of the things I have always cared about was making sure if I asked somebody to do something, I was prepared to do it myself,” explains Thomas.

For leadership that isn’t defined by school walls, parents and students alike are eternally grateful.

If you are interested in joining the Sumner County Schools transportation team, please call 615-452-1520. Drivers receive full-time benefits, flexible hours, a state retirement plan, and opportunities to make additional wages. Full-time positions are 22.5-25 hours a week in addition to field trips and sporting events.

‍