Blog

I’ve been behind the wheel with Sunrise for 14 years. I currently drive bus #58, picking up students door-to-door in Rockford, Garden Prairie, and Highroad. Although I live in Crystal Lake these days, I was born and raised in Rockford, so every turn I take on my route feels like coming home.  

Driving a school bus may not sound glamorous, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that this work has filled my heart in ways I could have never imagined. 

Sure, there are early days, snowy roads, and unexpected turns, but the joy far outweighs the challenges. I get to spend my mornings and afternoons with some of the most incredible students I have ever met, and as much as I’m happy to be their driver, I think they’re equally as happy to be on board. In fact, everyone seems to want to be on my bus! 

I’ve seen shy little ones blossom into confident young adults, and I’ve cheered them on every step of the way. They make me proud every single day. One of my kids has been with me from the time they were in fifth grade, and I’ve formed lifelong bonds with students I’ve literally watched grow up.
I’ve had kids I’ve driven for years invite me to their graduations, while another student told me that I helped him pass his drivers’ license exam, all because of the lessons he learned from my driving.  

While I value the relationships I’ve made with students and their families, my biggest priority as a Sunrise bus driver is safety. It is such a rewarding feeling every day knowing that when you get your students to school and back home safely.  
At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids. Showing them kindness, giving them a sense of stability, and reminding them that the world is full of possibilities. That’s why I do what I do. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.