15 August 2024
Tomball ISD bus driver connects with community through meet & greet event

Photo credit: Ms. Castelan, TISD parent

Tomball ISD bus drivers play an important role in a student’s educational trajectory. Not only are they the first and last district employees that children see each day, but they also assume a great deal of responsibility for the care and protection of students throughout the district.

“It’s very important that our school bus drivers have a connection to the community they drive in,” said Sandy Dillman, Tomball ISD transportation director. “The kids get so excited when they see their driver out in public and realize that their lives go beyond the yellow bus. Sometimes they just run up to them for a hug.”

The personal connection between bus driver and parents is also incredibly important in building trust and effective communication for the school year.

“When the connection between the parent and the bus driver is strong, the conversation is much better,” Dillman said. “Many of our transportation staff live in or near Tomball and see the parents, students and other district staff in town or at town events. I love getting calls from parents who like their driver and tell me that, even if something happened that they need to talk about.”

Liz Kelm, a bus driver for Tomball ISD, made waves this year with her innovative idea for connecting with the community.

Kelm, now in her fourth year as a school bus driver for TISD, hosted a “Get to Know Your Bus Driver” event for the district she serves before the start of the new school year.

During her meet and greet, Kelm demonstrated safety features, such as exiting through the emergency door or how the 3-point seat belts work. She also gave the children a tour of the bus and gave some background information about herself to make the families feel comfortable and prepared for the first day of school.

“We have been fortunate to have her for several of my children over the past few years, and this year she is driving our elementary, middle school and junior high routes,” said Ms. Castelan, a proud mother of students who ride Ms. Kelm’s bus. “She loves ‘her babies’ and they love her. She provides the happiest start and end to each school day and we are so thankful for her!”

Before this event, Kelm asked her supervisor if she could organize a meeting with the neighbors before school started. She also requested a bus so that the children and parents would have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the features and benefits of a school bus.

“Through this service, Liz not only got to know her students and parents, she also put some parents new to the school district at ease with the school bus experience or just nervous parents,” Dillman said. “I wholeheartedly supported the idea when I was called to approve or deny the event. Liz may have started a new tradition in our department.”