The job of a school bus driver is more than picking up and dropping kids off, which is evident from Conder’s daily routine. The job certainly isn’t easy, but for Conder, it’s a particular challenge.

 

“There’s never a dull moment. Some people didn’t understand why I took on this route, but I told them I was bored and needed the challenge. They’re great kids and not everyone understands that,” said Conder, a driver for the Illinois Central school bus company in Bloomington and a member of Champaign-based Teamsters Local 26.

 

Conder has been a school bus driver for nine years, a job she enjoys and takes seriously. She knows each of her students, how to effectively communicate with them, to engage them, and sometimes, just keep the peace on the bus while keeping her eyes on the road.

 

The eight students on Conder’s morning route range from kindergarteners to fifth graders. Their seating is staggered and Conder has the help of monitors to keep the ride as smooth as possible. All of the children have behavioral disorders, meaning at a young age, they have already exhibited difficult or violent behavior.

 

“I’ve had kids whose family members have been in prison. I had a kid who tried to run off the bus while it was moving. One kid had been to a mental facility for children twice in one school year. He was in the first grade,” Conder said. “Some people don’t understand how I could work with them, but I love these kids like they’re my own.”

 

Conder obviously has a special skill in working with children, but she modestly ascribes her success to good communication.  

 

“It’s all about how you approach the children. You need to greet them. Make eye contact. They need to be aware that you’re there and you care,” she said.

 

And so, every morning, Conder says, “Good morning. How are you?” to the children getting on her bus. She makes the rules clear and says she’s treated with respect in return. In her career as a driver, Conder has had less than 10 student write-ups for bad behavior. It also helps that she has monitors to keep everyone in line.

 

“The last time one kid thought he heard another kid talking about him, I had a male monitor who’s strong as a linebacker struggling to hold back this little kid. When they get that adrenaline going, it’s unreal,” Conder said.

 

 

One of the best parts of the job is getting to see the children grow up, which Conder is able to do, as she also transports junior high and high school students.  

 

Her high school students attend an alternative school. They’ve had lives far more eventful and difficult than most people could even imagine.

 

“They’ve been kicked out of their regular school because some are gang members, some took part in violence and some just couldn’t finish their classes for various reasons,” Conder said.

 

Where others would see hope lost, Conder sees an opportunity for redemption, change and success.

 

Conder is also a student, attending the local community college.

 

“Some of the alternative-ed kids from my bus are going to the same college that I go to now,” Conder said. “There was a kid who was part of a gang and he’s going to college now. Another girl had everything stacked against her; she was living in public housing and had a baby in high school. Now, I see her at school.”

 

For each good story, there is also likely a sad story, a student who didn’t make it through high school and disappeared in the system. Conder wants to make sure that each child knows they are cared for and have potential.

 

Where she sees a need, she helps out. Conder has brought in clothes, shoes, even socks for the children who have gotten on her bus in the wintertime without socks on.

 

She does what she can, for the kids and her coworkers.

 

“I don’t get paid to be a steward; I do it for what’s just. What’s right is right,” she said.

 

After First Student recently lost the transportation contract with the school district to Illinois Central, Conder and a few other outspoken employees were not hired on by the company.

 

“I was ultimately hired back with my same seniority, same position and routes, thanks to the work done by my union,” Conder said.

 

Now she’s back on the road, opening the big bus door every day.

 

“Good morning. How are you?”

 

And so another day begins.