In Tabithia Graves’ Comprehensive Development Classroom at Gallatin High School  (GHS), students are learning the meaning of community service by launching The Bus of Needs, a blessing box uniquely designed in the shape of a miniature school bus.

Tabithia’s class, one of four CDC classrooms at GHS, is comprised of special needs students ages 16-22 who have severe to profound disabilities. Despite a range of impairments, Tabithia, a native of Cross Plains, feels it is important her students learn the meaning of service.

“I grew up in a very giving community. That's how I was brought up and it’s a big part of what I am inside the classroom as a teacher,” says Tabithia. “I want to make sure my students are a part of the community and understand what that means.”

Noting the high percentage of students within the school population who are currently accessing free or reduced lunch, Tabithia determined that her classroom’s service project should focus on the issue of food insecurity.

“We are at over 40 percent in our rate of free and reduced lunch, so this is a high poverty area,” she laments. “For many students, the only full meal they receive is within the school setting. I thought this might be a way to not only give back to the community, but also for the students to be able to learn about service.”

The concept for the design of The Bus of Needs was inspired by the school experience itself, which has become a vital source of stability and routine for Tabithia’s students.

“The bus represents school, and the number 769 is painted on it because that’s the bus number the students ride every morning and afternoon,” she says.

Additionally, the inclusion of the number 769 was an opportunity to pay homage to a very special person.

“Mr. George is the bus driver for 769, and he is absolutely the best. He drives our special needs students and bends over backwards to make sure they’re taken care of before they get to us or home to their parents. The number 769 was a way to pay tribute to a bus driver who goes above and beyond,” explains Tabithia.

When it came to building the bus, Tabithia reached out to her classroom assistant, Angie Ardila, who enlisted her husband, Daniel Perez, a carpenter. Maintaining and stocking the bus is the students’ responsibility.

“Every week, a team is assigned, and they have the daily responsibility of checking the school bus and making sure it's filled with items, whether it’s canned goods, deodorant, soap, etc.,” Tabithia says. “If it needs something, they come back and get it and they take it back up to fill the bus.”

Upon delivery of the newly constructed school bus, students’ initial reactions ranged from the comical to questioning.

“One of them said, ‘Oh no! She's got her Magic School Bus,’” laughs Tabithia. “Another asked, ‘Do they leave us money?’’”

When asked whether her students are aware they’re impacting lives for the better, Tabithia responds, “Most of my students are very aware they have a disability and they're not like the other students in in the regular educational population, so it’s important they understand that just because you have a disability doesn't mean you can't go out and change someone’s day.”

Through The Bus of Needs project, Tabithia is helping her students better understand the world around them, while teaching them it’s within their ability to positively impact the lives of others.