MCPS Celebrates School Bus Driver Appreciation Day: Going the Extra Mile for Every Student

Our bus operators are often the first and last MCPS faces our students see each day, and their dedication ensures a safe, welcoming and reliable start to the learning process. On Tuesday, April 28, MCPS joins the national celebration of School Bus Driver Appreciation Day to honor a few of the many standout professionals who ensure our students arrive safely and ready to learn.

Exemplifying Excellence and Leadership

• Dennis Edwards (Bethesda Depot serving: Carderock Springs ES, Thomas W. Pyle MS, Walt Whitman HS, Thomas Edison HS): A dedicated employee since 2014, Mr. Edwards serves as a trainer for new drivers. He is known for his professional, calm, and supportive approach, and his genuine care for students makes a lasting impact on everyone he serves. Mr. Edwards builds positive relationships with students across all levels—elementary, middle and high school—and is highly regarded by parents. During his time in a leadership role as a Radio Bus Operator, multiple parents inquired about his return to his regular route. Consistently approachable and friendly, he sets the standard for others by going above and beyond and representing MCPS with pride, often greeting colleagues with a positive attitude and a smile. 
• Nancy Carpenter (Clarksburg Depot serving: Spark M. Matsunaga ES, Dr. Sally K. Ride ES, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MS, Northwest HS): Dedicated to the safety and well-being of her students, Mrs. Carpenter is known for her smiles, upbeat attitude and willingness to volunteer for additional assignments whenever a need arises.

A Legacy of Service and Calm Under Pressure

• Patricia “Pat” Collins (Randolph Depot serving: Bethesda ES, Flower Valley ES, Harmony Hills ES, Winston Churchill HS, John F. Kennedy HS): Serving as a school bus driver since 1978, "Pat" is highly regarded for her commitment and her ability to remain calm under pressure. She treats all students with fairness, kindness and respect.
• Mindy Wheatle (Shady Grove South serving: Stone Mill ES, Robert Frost MS, Julius West MS, Thomas S. Wootton HS): One of the most senior drivers in her cluster, Mrs. Wheatle demonstrated superb dedication during the evening of the Wootton High School shooting, staying late to ensure students were safely transported home.

The Spirit of Dependability

• Chihjung “David” Chang (Shady Grove South serving: Bayard Rustin ES, Julius West MS, Richard Montgomery HS, Watkins Mill HS, Thomas Edison HS): Known for his “Yes, sir!” attitude, Mr. Chang is always ready to assist, whether covering high school assignments or helping with bus evacuation drills. His professionalism is evident daily in the way he interacts with students, and his colleagues describe him as an exemplary employee and a dedicated person.
• Tsige Ali (West Farm Lower Depot serving Jackson Road ES, Rockview ES, Westover ES, Albert Einstein HS, Rockville HS): With multiple years of perfect attendance, Miss Ali demonstrates immense dedication to her students. She is a key part of the team ensuring depot readiness during cold weather and often jumps in to assist on “no-work, no-pay” days to ensure students are transported safely. Whether helping with mid-day runs or stepping in when a bus has broken down, she consistently ensures students get to school or home. Her overall work ethic and genuine care for the students she transports every day make her an invaluable member of the team.

Compassion and Connection

• Priya Grover (West Farm Upper Depot serving Wheaton Woods ES, Woodlin ES, John F. Kennedy HS, Paint Branch HS): Working with a special needs student who previously faced significant behavioral challenges, bus operator Mr. Grover and bus attendant Bizuwork Kebede took the initiative to build a meaningful partnership with the student and his family. By making it their mission to understand his specific needs and maintaining a high level of patience, they have successfully transformed his daily commute. Working as a team, their dedication has resulted in a significant decrease in negative behaviors and a consistently positive experience for the student.