Interview with a School Bus Attendant: Ashley, Owner of Piper the Bus

— What inspired you to become a school bus attendant, and what do you enjoy most about your job?

— I have always loved the idea of being able to transport children to and from school safely. It’s a very fulfilling job, and I love the interaction I have with the students every day. Seeing their faces light up as they board the bus in the morning and hearing about their day in the afternoon is the best part of my job.

— Can you tell us more about Piper, the school bus that you own, and what made you decide to buy it?

— I purchased Piper, my 2006 GMC Thomas Minotour, from Royal Oak Public Schools in Michigan in 2020. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of owning my very own school bus, and Piper made that dream a reality. It’s an older bus, but it’s reliable and has a lot of character.

— How do you decorate Piper for special occasions, and what kind of reactions do you get from the kids and adults who see her?

— Halloween is my favorite time of year, and I love to decorate Piper as a walkthrough haunted school bus for kids and adults. I also decorate her for other special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. The reactions I get from the children and adults are always positive, and they love to take pictures with Piper.

— Can you tell us more about the restoration work you had to do on Piper, and any challenges you faced during the process?

— When I bought Piper, she was in pretty good condition overall. However, I did have to do some restoration work on her. One of the biggest challenges I faced was when the stairwell rusted off and I had to get it re-welded. I also had to get the lights replaced, which was another major expense. Additionally, I had to replace the spark plugs to make sure she was running smoothly. It was a lot of work and money, but it was worth it to have my own bus.

— Can you tell us more about your best friend Dani and how she inspired you to save up for Piper?

— Dani was my best friend, and she was the one who inspired me to save up to buy my own bus. Unfortunately, she passed away before she was able to see Piper in person. But I know she would have loved it, and I think of her every time I’m on the bus.

— What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a school bus attendant, or who wants to own their own school bus?

— My advice would be to follow your dreams and don’t be afraid to take risks. Being a school bus attendant is a fulfilling job, and owning your own school bus is an experience like no other. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it in the end.

— You mentioned that you have a split shift and are on call. Can you tell us more about your work schedule and how you manage it?

— I wake up at 4 in the morning to start my day, and my work schedule can vary depending on the needs of the school district. I have a split shift, which means I work in the morning and then have a break before going back to work in the afternoon. I am also on call, which means I can be called in at any time if there is a need for my services. This upcoming school season, I will be working more often as I am finally recovering from mourning my friend.

— You mentioned that you have Autism like many of your students. Can you tell us more about how this affects your work and your ability to relate to your students?

— Stress is a big issue for me, but it also helps me relate to my students more than most. I understand their struggles and their needs because I share many of the same experiences. Some challenges I face include helping the kids calm down when they are upset, but I usually get them giggling in the end. The parents and kids always ask where I am when I’m not at work. And the kids say they miss me and love hearing about the stories I make up about Piper my own bus!

— What do you think sets you apart from other school bus attendants, and what do you think is the key to your success?

— What sets me apart from other school bus attendants is that I have a unique perspective on what it's like to have Autism. I can relate to my students who also have Autism and understand the challenges that come with it. My ability to remain calm and patient in stressful situations has also helped me in my job. I think the key to my success as a school bus attendant is my dedication to providing a safe and comfortable environment for my students. I treat them like they're my own kids and I always put their safety and well-being first.