Some might take for granted how important driving a school bus really is. The drivers greet your children every day. The lives of your children are in their hands and they do it all with 50-plus students facing their backs.
But for Oxford School District bus drivers Terry Atkins and Alison De’Nise, their dedication and experience to their profession has not gone unnoticed.
In April, Atkins and De’Nise, who have a combined 40 years of driving school buses in Oxford, were both awarded a plaque for excellence in transportation for Oakland County.
The award honors bus drivers for loyalty, dedication, community service and positive interaction with students. Nominations are made by the recipients? co-workers.
Atkins and De’Nise, both Oxford residents, have spent their careers driving school buses for the regular and special education students. Atkins? daughter and granddaughter attended and currently attend Oxford Schools.
‘I love my students,? Atkins said with a big smile, adding that driving a school bus makes it easy for working moms to raise a child.
Atkins originally started driving the buses in order to pay for living room furniture and had no idea she’d be in Oxford so long.
According to Char Podzikowski, director of transportation for the district, Atkins is so committed to the students she drives that she even learned sign language to communicate with one of them.
De’Nise has enjoyed spending one-on-one time with all of her students.
‘Growing with the kids and watching them change through the years is fun,? she said.
Driving buses isn’t her full-time job, though. De’Nise has served in the army for 21 years and is currently with the National Guard. She also works at Independence Oaks in management.
At the bus garage, De’Nise can frequently be found decorating for the holidays as well as cooking great food.
‘Both of these women are excellent employees,? Podzikowski said. ‘They’re a real asset.?