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Every September an iconic symbol returns to the roadways: the big yellow school bus. Its presence signals a new school year – and for students who ride the bus – each school day begins by walking up the steps to a warm greeting from their bus driver.

Cheryl Schnebly and Shannon Lathe are two bus drivers who have collectively driven buses of all kinds for 60 years. They work for Lorenz Bus Service, the transportation company that has partnered with Spring Lake Park Schools since 2009 and runs 216 daily routes for the schools.

In that time driving through neighborhoods, Cheryl and Shannon have learned a few things. From day one, they understood the great responsibility it is to safely drive children to school. A perk of the job – perhaps an unexpected one – is the many cherished memories over the years shared between driver, student and family. Those special moments keep these drivers eager to return each school year.

From their separate routes on this day in September, Cheryl and Shannon both claim their loyalty to driving buses: “I’m a lifer.” Even with many years of experience in the profession and a lifetime to go, they say they wish they had started driving school buses sooner.

The value of a minute

Cheryl and Shannon understand the value of a minute. That first interaction when a child steps on or off the bus – while usually brief – is of utmost importance. Each child can count on a “hello, good morning” during a morning pick-up and a “see you tomorrow!” at an afternoon drop-off.

By the second week of school, riders are already known by name. These bus drivers know making eye contact and sharing positive affirmations can have a big impact on a student’s day…and life.

“You’re the first person that they see to start their school day…so you have the ability to make it or break it,” says Shannon. “No matter the traffic or general mood of the day, I try to be cheerful and nice.”

Shannon began in the transportation industry in 1995 and started driving school buses with Lorenz in 2019. Her husband is also a school bus driver at Lorenz. She spent time working for the U.S. Postal Service and with disabled adults, but kept coming back to driving buses.

Gesturing to a sunrise on the way to pick up the middle schoolers, she says, “What can I say, I enjoy my office with a view.”

Cheryl has driven buses for 31 years and happily has done the same route, 137, for nine years with Lorenz. What brings her joy is seeing a child’s smiling face, whether that is while loading on the bus or dropping them off to their families. She focuses on building relationships with the riders early on to set a positive foundation for the rest of the year.

On this September day, while idling in the high school parking lot, a high schooler boards and a quick, “How’s school treating you?” leads to a chat about classes and new clothes. Once dropped off, Cheryl notes, “She was one who was hesitant to say a word to me all last year.”

Driving buses has always been Cheryl’s self-proclaimed dream, and that enjoyment outweighs an often jam-packed schedule.

“I really don’t think of this as work,” she says.

While it may not feel like work to Cheryl, it requires training, skill and experience to navigate a school bus on today’s roads. There are constant turns onto tight streets and moving through Minnesota construction zone obstacle courses, all while staying on time and ensuring safety. That’s Shannon’s goal every time she’s behind the wheel.

“I have it down to a science knowing which stoplights will turn and when,” she says. “You learn the value of a minute in this job!”

While timing of the route is important to the drivers, so is taking time for community. Car commuters who wait at the stop signals, pedestrians, and fellow bus drivers can all expect a friendly wave as they pass by. Cheryl nods to a home on her Westwood route where an elderly couple gardens in the afternoon almost every day.

“Do I know them? No. But they’ve seen me do this route for nine years, so we wave to each other,” she says.

Rearview memories

During elementary routes, friends sit next to each other and play make believe with stuffed animals for the whole ride. A kindergartener gazes out the window and names the buildings he recognizes. Students listen as Shannon speaks into the microphone to announce turkey sausage sandwiches are a part of today’s breakfast, to which someone whispers, “Yum.”

As she glances in the rearview mirror, Shannon jokes with these students that she has eyes in the back of her head. That constant mirror view helps her make sure that everyone stays seated or prompts a reminder over the microphone to “sit on your pockets, please.”

She also observes acts of kindness like older elementary students practicing responsibility while keeping a new kindergarten rider company.

“Maybe it’s the kid in me, but there’s something special about my Northpoint Elementary kids,” says Shannon, “. . . and the dogs.” She’s been known to hand out a treat or two to waiting pets.

Before departing from Woodcrest Spanish Immersion Elementary, Cheryl asks students to stand and shake out the wiggles before the bus takes off. As students exit, safety continues. Extra precautions – like reminding students where to walk and waiting a moment to ensure they are making it to their homes – are part of the job.

Both of these drivers have formed bonds with students and families as they watch them grow from elementary to intermediate and middle to high school. Shannon notes the amazement when her riders reach high school age, get their license, and then she sees them on the road driving themselves to school.

Cheryl recalls a specific memory watching siblings wait at the bus stop with their parent each morning – one child riding the bus, while the other was not quite preschool age. Then seeing the joy when that child was old enough to board her bus and go to school.

When she pulls up at a stop, Shannon observes that same trust with families as well.

Parents will take pictures of their kiddos on the first day, some with tears in their eyes as they send them on their way. I try to reassure families that they are in good hands while they are ‘my kids’ for just a little part of the day. Shannon Lathe, bus driver

Many babies in strollers or in their caregiver’s arms are waiting at the bus stop with their older brother or sister.

“I look out and see my future passengers,” Shannon says with a smile.

One last stop

At her last drop-off in the afternoon, Cheryl waits with a student. Most days, this boy’s big brother is biking home from Spring Lake Park High School to meet them. Once he arrives, they have a brief chat about art classes (both brothers enjoy drawing) before everyone is on their way.

“Have a good night, and see you tomorrow,” says Cheryl.

With all stops made, it’s time to return to the station. Cheryl pulls around the corner and parks. With a last visual sweep of the empty seats, she performs the standard protocol to check for sleeping children, clean up and check if anyone has left any belongings behind.

“If someone forgets something like a lunch box, I try to make a stop and drop it back off at home on my way back,” she says.

On September 13, after nine years in Cheryl’s care, bus 137 made its final stop and was retired. Cheryl will continue the same route under a different bus number. Back at the station, over the microphone to an empty bus, Cheryl pays tribute to her pride and joy: “137, thank you for the best years. Enjoy your retirement!”

Thinking about all the students’ faces – and dogs – over the years, Shannon puts it most simply: “It’s a great life.”