8 November 2008

I wanted to comment on the bus driver video because until viewing that, I never thought of the importance of properly training bus drivers to deal with extreme circumstances. I watched the video when I got home Saturday afternoon and not believe how calm and the amount of restraint the bus driver used in dealing with that young lady. I thought back to an incident my interdisciplinary team had early this year on a field trip with a bus driver and realized just how important relevant training is. According to the bus driver of one of our buses, the students were too loud so she pulled over and was screaming. Fortunately 3 adult chaperones (one guidance counselor and two classroom teachers) were on board to witness. The situation is still unfolding but the superintendent is investigating it very seriously. I plan on discussing with my principal the amount of training that non-certified staff receive in terms of dealing with students...based on what I have witnessed I am assuming not much.