Connie Marshall believes she has the best office window.  

Marshall is referring to the windshield of the school bus she drives about 140 miles daily for Chapman Unified School District 473. 

“This is my dream job,” she said. “I’m really happy doing this. I get to see the sunrise in the morning.”  

Trent Armstrong, transportation director for USD 473, said he appreciates Marshall’s strong work ethic and dedication to the students she drives to and from school every day. 

“She cares about the kids. She puts her heart into everything she does,” he said. “She’s just a superior driver. I can’t say enough good things about her.” 

Armstrong said Marshall is a quiet person but is “always a positive influence” as a member of his staff and with the students she transports every day. 

“She brings everybody together,” he said. “She’s got a kind soul.” 

For about three or four years, Marshall said a neighbor, who was also a bus driver for the Chapman district, encouraged her to drive for USD 473, telling Marshall she would be “a good fit” for the job. 

“She said, ‘you’ll love it. You need to do it,’” Marshall said. “It just sounded great.” 

Now, Marshall starts her mornings at 5:50 a.m. every weekday, with her two children, Sophie and Keith, who attend Chapman schools and ride the bus with her. Given that her children and most of the other students she transports are on her bus for up to two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, Marshall found a unique way to keep her students occupied: crocheting and crafts. 

“I’ve got some of the most amazing kids on my bus,” she said. “I didn’t want them getting bored. It’s a long ride to school.” 

Marshall said when she first introduced her students to crochet, both the girls and boys enthusiastically jumped at the chance to learn. She said some of the girls are now making afghans, sweaters and other items they wear to school. 

“It’s been so cool to watch their progression,” she said.   

In addition to crochet projects, Marshall said she brings her craft bag on her bus every day, something her students look forward to seeing what’s inside of it.  

“I’ll explain what we’re making,” she said. “It’s different things all the time.” 

Marshall said while she’s spending nearly four hours a day with her students, she wouldn’t trade that time with them for anything. 

“It’s about slowing down and actually listening to them,” she said. “That’s important. I want them to start their day with praise.” 

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is Tuesday, April 22, an opportunity to show school bus drivers how much they mean to their students and their families and the education system as a whole. 

Click here for more information from KSDE’s school transportation safety unit.