A local school bus driver has been recognized for her efforts.
Joyce Charron, a driver for Sharp Bus Lines, has been named “Bus Driver of the Year” by the Windsor-Essex Student Transportation Services (WESTS). She learned of the honour at last Tuesday’s safety meeting for Sharp Bus Lines.
Charron was surprised by the announcement, thinking the WESTS representative was at the meeting to present the award to another bus driver.
“I’m shocked. I’m speechless. I’m so honoured,” she said. “When they called my name, I was so shocked. I didn’t know what to do.”
Known as “Miss Joyce” to the students she transports, Charron said has been a driver for 32 years.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get an award like this,” she said.
Being a bus driver is something Charron said she enjoys.
“I just love my job,” she said. “I absolutely love the kids. It’s just a great job.”
Charron said she doesn’t know what she did to earn the award, but she does keep a container of children’s toys to appease the little ones who may not be in a good mood.
“Some are getting on the bus and are not having a great day,” she said. “They have something to snuggle with.”
The word “SMILE” is also spelled out in windows on each side of her school bus. She pointed out she has driven for almost every school in Essex County during the course of her career, with her current schools being North Star High School in Amherstburg and Sandwich West Public School in LaSalle.
“For the past 32 years, I say good morning to each and every one of my students,” said Charron.
At the end of the day, Charron tells them to “have a good evening” or “see you tomorrow.”
“It might be the first smile or the first nice thing they heard that day,” she stated.
Charron said she hopes to keep driving for at least another five years. She added she has heard from a lot of her friends and colleagues and some former students since the award was announced.
“I’m still shocked,” she said. “I just love the kids. They keep me young. They’re just fun.”
Charron recommended being a bus driver as a career.
“I work with the most amazing people,” she said, noting that includes mechanics, managers and other drivers. “We have some of the best drivers in Essex County at Sharp Bus Lines. If you are ever looking for a job, come see us at Sharp Bus Lines. Tell them Miss Joyce sent you.”
Local woman named “Bus Driver of the Year”
By Ron Giofu
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