Latoya Jenkins wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready for the long day ahead of her. She says her prayers and clocks in at the schoolyard at 5:30 a.m. From there, she checks all the components of her bus to ensure the safety of the students she will soon transport.

Jenkins has been an APS bus driver for the past eight years. She took on this job because it checked a lot of boxes personally and professionally. 

“I chose to become a bus driver for APS because at the time, my children were young and it was difficult to find childcare and also have help with getting them to and from school,” Jenkins said. “I wanted to find a job that could meet [my] needs, making sure my kids [were] able to get to and from school without me having to depend on other people.”

Jenkins drives for Virginia-Highland Elementary School, Midtown High School and Howard Middle School. She will begin picking up students from the first stop for Virginia-Highland Elementary at 6:38 a.m. and drop everyone off at the school at 7:15 a.m. 

Jenkins explains that since elementary-aged students are younger, they have more needs, which requires additional responsibilities.

“They’re looking for that mother figure to help them out,” Jenkins said. “You [have] got to keep repeating everything.”

Jenkins’ Midtown route starts at 7:42. This route takes about 21 minutes, ending at around 8:03, depending on traffic. 

“When my high school [students] get on [the bus], they speak, and certain ones will go a little further with me,” Jenkins said. “We’ll have conversations. We’ll talk, or it’ll be to the point where they’ll come to me [and say], ‘Hey, can I talk to you, Ms. Bus Driver?’?Or Ms. J, when they finally learn my name.”

At 8:29, she is back on the road. She drops her Howard students off at around 9:00 a.m. After completing her morning routes, she checks her bus again, then heads to the yard to fill it up with propane at around 9:45 a.m. 

On a typical day, Jenkins clocks out at 10 a.m., but if she has a field trip, it takes until 1:14 p.m. Jenkins said her experience has allowed her to explore new places while forming strong connections. She said she enjoys everything about being a bus driver and loves the impact she has created.

“I’m able to see different faces,” Jenkins said. “I’m able to see kids come and go. I’m able to have connections with not only the kids, also with their parents… I’m the first person they see before they go to school.”

Freshman Emma Siegelman rides Jenkins’ bus to school almost every day and believes riding a school bus provides accessible transport for students.

“[The bus service is] pretty convenient for me because it’s a four-minute walk from my house and all I have to do is walk to the bus stop and then get on,” Siegelman said.

Siegelman also appreciates the extra effort Jenkins puts in to allow everyone to get on the bus. 

“I like [my bus driver] because one time I was walking to the bus stop and she stopped for me because it was cold outside,” said Siegelman. “She’s really nice, and she waits for me sometimes when I’m late.”

Jenkins said she works to make her students comfortable and treats them with respect and kindness. In doing so, Jenkins said she aims to build a sense of community on her bus.

“When you’re on my bus, you’re considered my child at the time,” Jenkins said. “Therefore, I’m responsible for everyone.”