The Spotsylvania County Public School System (Virginia) runs an extensive fleet of 400 buses, catering to 24,000 students each day across 31 schools, which includes both general and special education vehicles. To support this large-scale operation, a dedicated workforce comprising school bus drivers and attendants, various management positions, administrative staff, fleet services, and an on-site maintenance team has been ensembled
Sean Clore, CDPT, CSNT, SHRM-CP, the Director of Transportation for the district, understands that continuous learning is a crucial step for his department to fulfill the district’s mission of “together, we prepare our students for their future.” Which is why he has actively encouraged his frontline leaders to pursue professional development via the NAPT certification program.
“NAPT is the definitive leader in the student transportation industry, and their certification provides our team with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle the complexities of modern student transportation efficiently and safely,” he said. “Our decision to focus on professional development has fostered a culture of excellence and commitment among the team.”
In an ever-evolving educational landscape, this proactive approach positions the Spotsylvania County Public School System as a leader in providing safe and reliable transportation.
Currently there are 11 team members who have completed their NAPT Certifications. School BUSRide met with them to discuss the credentialing process and gain valuable insights directly from their team members.
How long has it taken everyone to get to this point?
Clore: Once everyone steps into the lead driver role, they begin working towards their certification. The great thing about this process is that individuals can progress at their own pace; some have swiftly completed the courses, while others have taken a bit longer. We are fortunate that several team members had the chance to attend NAPT conferences, where they had the opportunity to take courses that are not offered online. Overall, it has been a wonderful blend of in-person and online learning experiences.
Each participant brings unique insights and experiences back to the team, enhancing our collective knowledge and capabilities. Honestly, the process has fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among the team – they support each other 
through various stages and ultimately build stronger relationships and a more cohesive work environment.
What is your personal perspective on the importance of education and earning a professional certification?
Clore: For me, my primary motivation is self-improvement and demonstrating a commitment to achieving a certain level of certification in my field. This accomplishment signifies dedication, and the extra effort invested. Personally, I spent 17 and a half years in college. I genuinely enjoy learning, so for me, it was a fulfilling journey that did not necessarily focus on the destination. However, I understand that not everyone shares the desire to spend that long in school.
Berniece Vermilyea: We’ve truly enjoyed witnessing Sean in school for 17 years, which is how long we’ve been with him. We were able to experience his passion for learning and commitment to education which was an inspiration to all of us. It’s rare to find someone who embraces the journey of knowledge with such enthusiasm and perseverance.
Joanna Jillisky: It means a lot to me that I am credentialed in my field. It serves as a badge of honor, showcasing my extensive experience in the student transportation industry.
Vermilyea: It gives me a personal sense of satisfaction knowing that I accomplished this. I often say to myself “hey, you did this!” and I am instantly filled with pride. To go deeper, the common knowledge that we’ve learned along the way provides our team with a unified approach and support system on how we can best address real-life conflicts and opportunities.
Jeannie Storm: I have been able to attend Professional Development Series offerings at NAPT Conferences, where a diverse group of people from across the United States came together to share knowledge. I’ve been able to learn about successful strategies, which can often be adapted and brought back to our own organization. Ultimately, this benefits us all because, at the heart of it, we are striving to make a positive impact on the kids as well as for ourselves.
Stephanie Bruce: Building on Jeannine’s point, the insights we gain from the courses we take at NAPT Conference or online to gain our credentials significantly enhance our communication with parents. We communicate through email a lot with the families of the students we transport; we have become more adept at addressing their concerns and providing clear, informed responses to any questions they might have about their child’s transportation. This improved communication fosters trust and reassurance, which is essential in maintaining strong relationships with the families we serve.
What is the benefit to the individual professional?
Tammy Freeze: The NAPT certification can lead to increased confidence, opening doors to new opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles. For me, since I’ve become certified, I have experienced more joy at work because I feel that I am better equipped to handle the complex nature of our work.
The collective group agreed with Freeze’s sentiments.
How has the accrued knowledge been used in your department’s operations?
Clore: It’s great to see that everyone here understands the importance of our lead drivers pursuing certification; they have all been supportive in this endeavor. As Sephanie mentioned, we rely heavily on email communication with our parents; I’ve often been asked about the letters that follow our lead drivers’ names. These letters serve as an internal recognition among our stakeholders, highlighting the extra effort they’ve put in to achieve certification in their field. It ensures that everyone is at the same job level with a consistent baseline of knowledge, as they have all completed the same courses and are using the same resources. This shared understanding significantly enhances our team’s effectiveness and our families are taking notice.
What value has commitment to professional development created?
Jillisky: I believe that the environment in our industry is continually changing. By participating in these classes and obtaining certifications, we remain alert and aligned with these shifts. These qualifications serve as valuable tools in our arsenal, helping us stay updated with all developments.
NAPT certifications have a three-year lifespan. Are you doing anything specific to prepare for those deadlines?
Clore: So that’s kind of funny because it’s kind of gotten away from me at times. And just yesterday I printed Diana the form that she needs to start keeping up with because you’ve got to remember to keep up with that certification every three years. And it’s easy to forget as the years go on that you haven’t done [tracked] it. So, for us, it’s just completely internal, “Hey, have you done this? Have you done that? You need to do this webinar.” And then if we’re fortunate enough to be able to send a few people to the conference every year, that also helps as well, not only for the continuing education units (CEUs) but for networking opportunities. And, in this region, we used to host the regional rodeo for the 14 counties around us. So now luckily, we do that every three years, but it also encourages us to organize a safety competition and accumulate points/CEUs as well. There are so many ways to accumulate points/CEUs to satisfy the re-certification requirements.
What guidance would you give other departments about pursuing certifications?
Clore: Persevere and stay committed.
First, motivate individuals to pursue certification by sharing its value and how it has benefited us. Secondly, understand that we all operate within strict budgets. It took me several years to get everyone certified, with a few achieving it here and there. My best piece of advice is to stay committed and not to lose heart if exams don’t yield immediate success. Not everyone will pass on their first attempt, and that’s part of the learning process. You gain more insight when you retake the exam, so continue attending classes.
From a director’s perspective, we are fortunate to work within a school system that has not encountered any resistance when it comes to funding classes for these certifications. Therefore, it’s crucial to persist, advocate to key decision makers within your district, and encourage them to finance these classes and certifications. Their importance cannot be overstated, as they truly add significant value.
Catlin Gorbey: Just do it! With a fleet of over 400 buses and around 300 dedicated drivers, our collective effort is what keeps our transportation system running smoothly across all 37 schools.
Jillisky: The experience of pursuing these certifications is incredibly valuable. We have been fortunate to have Sean supporting us, ensuring we have the funding to attend conferences and take courses. However, the real benefits come from the journey itself—networking and self-education play a significant role. Although the exam can be intimidating and challenging, the journey is truly worthwhile.
Looking ahead, the Spotsylvania County Public School System remains committed to investing in its people. By continuing to prioritize professional growth and development, the district aims to set new standards in student transportation, ensuring that their buses are not just vehicles for travel, but safe, welcoming spaces that contribute to a positive educational experience.
To learn more about the NAPT Credentials, please visit: https://www.napt.org/education.