| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
 Posted - 11/17/2002 : 08:32:51 AM
|
Ran across a story in the San Francisco Chronicle that claimed oversight on the part of some managers, those failing to ask their empolyees "in context"what they need to do a better job.
According to the story, Bosses don't give workers enough context. They will either not ask for workers' opinions before making decisions, or will assume that the rationale behind the decision is obvious.
"When you don't deliver context," Clarke-Epstein said in the story, "you can't expect people to make smart decisions on their own."
It makes sense to ask, what one change would make the big differnece when it comes to helping school bus drivers do their job? (jk)
|
|
|
Wolfman
Senior Member
USA
192 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2002 : 11:05:28 AM
|
The best way to answer this is the people in charge would listen to the driver. They are the ones on the Rt. every day, they know what the roads are like, along with what the kids are like. I think every super. or TD. should ride with eveery driver to learn about the Rts.. Others might disagree with this because of the number of buses, but if they listen it might help!
Wolfman Howling  Mostly at the kids!
|
 |
|
|
Wolfman
Senior Member
USA
192 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2002 : 08:17:51 AM
|
Mlkdrivers41 is right the supervisors need to be where the drivers can get in contract with them. My works 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. And the schools don't release until 3:30 pm. If we have trouble and need to contract the TD. we have to go on a hunt. Call the office, the bus garage, pager, and last call the TD. home and leave a message [which the return call will come the next day]. But if a parent calls, the TD calls the driver pronto. So go figure! Who is listening to who!
Wolfman Howling Mostly at the kids!
|
|
|
|
bosslady
Advanced Member
USA
336 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2002 : 10:19:49 AM
|
I am a TD and I work from 6:30 AM until 5:30 PM. I am here when the buses leave in the morning and when they get back in the evening. I have a cell phone with me at all times and a radio most of the time. I also have a base at my home so I can hear the buses in the evenings on trips. I also have my cell phone with me at all times on weekends and in the evening when the activity buses are out.
I have ridden all the routes and I also sub at times when we are short of subs, so I have driven most of the routes.
We are a small school so it is easier for me to do than the TD's from the really large schools.
I was a driver myself for a number of years, so I feel that I can relate to the drivers and their problems.
Our drivers don't make nearly enough money for the job they do, I really wish our school district could give them more money, but like many school districts across the country, we are really hurting money wise. Fortunately, we don't have a lot of discipline problems, because our administration is very good to stand behind the drivers.
We must be doing something right as we have never had a big turnover in drivers. We had several retire last year after 25, 28 and 30 years of driving. We have several others who have driven for 20 + years. All of our new drivers moved up from subs after waiting for a while for a regular route, and they all say they will be here for a long time, because they really like their job. This is my 29th year and I like my job. I like working with kids (most of the time ha). I really like the people I work with. Bus drivers are very special people. I know drivers from all over the state because I am active in our state organization KSPTA and the state rodeo, and I teach CPR/First Aid and DIP ( both required in KS) to bus drivers in our area of the state. They are a unique breed and I love them. I find them to be very friendly, easy to get to know, helpful, down to earth people. They are a lot of fun and a little "crazy". They have to be to want to do this job. Most of them are very safety minded and really want to do a good job and want the training and help required to do so.
|
|
|
|
Wolfman
Senior Member
USA
192 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2002 : 2:27:43 PM
|
I don't want to sound like I am putting down all the TD's out there. Its the few that won't take time to listen or be there for the drivers. The TD's job is one I would not have! I would like to be treated fair. There was a posting on here when I first signed on about a TD and how the person gave the cold shoulder to some drivers. I think every driver should be treated the same!
Wolfman Howling Mostly at the kids!
|
|
|
|
mr.dave
Advanced Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2002 : 3:49:19 PM
|
I have tried answering four times, with this or that gripe. Hit "Reset Fields" each time, and reread JK's question. Communication, training, cooperation, and respect all came to mind, but each is far to broad to be the single thing that gets in the way.
First question; What exactly do I do for a living? Answer; I safely transport children to and from school.
JK's question; What one change would allow me to do this better? My answer; improve student disipline. I believe if we could get the students to sit quietly on the bus it would improve safety, puntuality, driver moral, turnover, wear & tear of the buses,etc.
By the way, what exactly is a "TD"? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question.
shalom dave
|
|
|
|
Wolfman
Senior Member
USA
192 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2002 : 02:54:40 AM
|
mr.dave a TD is a transportation director. Here where I drive the TD over sees the buses and the mechanics.
Wolfman Howling Mostly at the kids!
|
|
|
|
mr.dave
Advanced Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2002 : 2:43:16 PM
|
Thanks Wolfman, I was leaning toward "training driver"
shalom dave
|
|
|
|
1042
Senior Member
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2002 : 09:30:44 AM
|
You're right Dave! (the one thing that would best allow us to do the job beter is improved discipline)
All other factors taken into consideration - wages, training, equipment, local policies and politics, I'd say anyone who doesn't recognize the impact of poor enforcement of discipline in our school systems needs to reach up and readjust that big mirror. 
The longer I work in this area (and this is my "retirement" job) the more convinced I become that among the many benefits we need to develop for our kids is a clear sense of discipline, boundaries, and consequences!
Some rather stark examples of bad behavior I have had to encounter in my 3 short years doing this, has caused me to become more of an advocate for our kids by insisting problem behaviors be dealt with responsibly by the administration - and sometimes that has meant in the local courts.
I am becoming concerned that in their attempts at making the "educational experience" more meaningful and comfortable for its students, administrators are tending to excuse or ignore problem behaviors instead of requiring the enforcement of consequences that might require them to "step up to the plate" and get involved.
For instance it's too easy for school administrators see bus behavior problems as far removed from their more primary concerns and priorities of standarized test score levels, funding initiatives to try and keep up with budget and growth needs, etc. all the while maintaining a "politically correct" image.
As an adult who cares about kids, I feel if I'm not part of the solution by teaching and requiring that everyone has to have appropriate boundaries or face the consequences - then I'm part of the problem.
Aside from that I am encouraged to see how kids thrive when they are supported by the adults in their lives instead of ignored by them.
. . . and thanks for asking.
1042
Edited by - 1042 on 11/23/2002 3:14:08 PM |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
What gets in the way of your doing your job?
