School BUSRide spoke with Jennifer Gardella, CTPTO, CSPT, director of transportation for Rockwall Independent School District in Texas. She spoke about her district and the benefits of mentorship.
Tell us about your career in education and transportation.
I’ve been in the education field for 22 years. Before joining the school district, I ran a preschool, overseeing everything from student development in pre-K classrooms to organizing field trips. My journey into school transportation began when my son’s school faced a driver shortage. I decided to drive a bus so I could accompany him on field trips once he started what he called “big school.”
While continuing my work in preschool education, I became a bus driver for our local ISD. Over time, I advanced within the department, becoming a supervisor. A few years ago, I moved to CFB ISD as a dispatcher, where I had the opportunity to work with a great leaders. Mark, Felicia and Donna encouraged me to develop skills in routing, building culture, proper communication, training, and various other areas, helping me realize strengths I hadn’t recognized in myself. That experience led me to Frisco ISD, where I became the Assistant Director of Transportation, overseeing one of the 3 stations, specifically managing special education transportation.
Now, I am the Director of Transportation at Rockwall ISD. In addition to my work at the district level, I volunteer with state and regional organizations such as TAPT and NTAPT. I have served as a historian, webmaster, and in other roles to give back to the transportation community. My favorite aspect of this field is networking—our industry is strongest when we support one another. I am where I am today because people helped me recognize my strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to grow. I strive to do the same for my team in Rockwall by empowering those around me. I work with an incredible group of leaders who know their roles well, and my job is to facilitate their success. Ultimately, my passion is for student transportation and ensuring we provide the best service possible.
What can you tell us about your district’s transportation department?
Rockwall ISD covers a much larger area than I initially realized, spanning from Heath to Rockwall, Wylie, the outskirts of Forney, and into Royse City. We operate over 100 routes and employ more than 243 staff members, including crossing guards, monitors, drivers, and special program drivers.
One unique aspect of our department is that we manage school crossing guards in addition to transportation. This means ensuring that every elementary campus—16 in total—has the necessary coverage, with some campuses requiring two or three guards due to large walk zones.
Our fleet has been gradually updated with new safety features over the years, and we continue working toward improvements. Since I arrived six months ago, we have added two new special education buses and are incorporating Type A buses into our fleet. These smaller buses provide an opportunity for our monitors to transition into driving roles without requiring a CDL, allowing them to take on more responsibility and stay engaged in their careers.
This year, we faced a unique challenge: the opening of two ninth-grade campuses. This expansion required us to introduce 181 daily shuttle routes to transport students between the ninth-grade campuses and their high schools, ensuring they could access specialized programs. Additionally, we provide transportation to Collin College for dual-credit courses and shuttle students to our College & Career Academy (GGCBA). Our commitment to student success also extends to middle school math shuttles, allowing advanced students to attend high school math classes.
With all these services in place, our buses are constantly in motion. Rockwall ISD has one of the busiest transportation departments I’ve ever seen. So far this year, we have completed nearly 1,100 field trips, and managing daily trip requests is like solving a puzzle. It’s a testament to the dedication of our staff that we can successfully meet these transportation needs.
What is the biggest challenge facing your transportation department?
One of our biggest challenges has been adapting to the district’s rapid growth. As we transitioned into a 6A district, we found that our staffing and resources were stretched thin. Since my arrival, we have taken major steps to address these issues, including adding four new office positions.
Previously, office staff were managing multiple roles, wearing four or five hats at a time. Now, we have two specialists dedicated to training and CDL certification, a special education route coordinator, and a regular education route coordinator. Additionally, we created a secretary position—something the transportation department had never had before. These changes allow us to build internal expertise and improve overall efficiency.
In the past, transportation departments operated with a siloed mindset, hesitant to share knowledge for fear of losing valuable employees. However, in today’s environment—especially here in North Texas—we recognize the importance of building future leaders. I see my role as not just leading Rockwall’s transportation team but also mentoring the next generation of directors. My goal is to develop my team members so that when they’re ready to take on leadership roles, they have the skills and confidence to succeed.
As a seasoned professional, what advice can you offer other NAPT members?
The most valuable advice I can give is to find a mentor. Surround yourself with people who will help you grow. Strong mentorship strengthens not only individuals but also entire teams.
NAPT played a huge role in my professional growth. Four years ago, I met an instructor Josh Rice at TAPT who inspired me to pursue NAPT certifications. That motivation led me to attend my first NAPT conference, where I felt truly ignited by the experience. When I received the Education Award last year, the song selected for the event—”This girl is on Fire”—perfectly described my journey.
Mentorship has been crucial for me. One of my mentors, Michelle Ramm, encouraged me from the start, and another mentor Teri Mapengo helped refine my skills. Without these influences, I wouldn’t be where I am today. This is why I tell anyone entering the field: find a mentor. The challenges of this job can be overwhelming, and having the right people to support and guide you makes all the difference. A great mentor like Amy Scopac will be honest with you, challenge you, and help you navigate difficult moments.
When I have tough days, I remind myself of something a mentor Mark told me: “Jennifer, you are you. You were hired for a reason. Don’t change who you are—help others grow into who they need to be.” That message keeps me grounded. As my parents used to say, “See the lion in yourself”—meaning, always find a reason to smile, set the example, and keep pushing forward. Surrounding yourself with the right people helps make this challenging industry more manageable.
What excites you most about pupil transportation today?
The evolution of the industry excites me the most. Ten years ago, there was little collaboration among transportation professionals. Today, we are building networks, sharing knowledge, and developing future leaders. The industry is changing rapidly, and I’m proud to be part of a movement that prioritizes growth and mentorship.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, I see an industry that is more connected, innovative, and prepared to meet the needs of students. We are no longer just moving students from point A to point B—we are shaping the future of school transportation and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.