My Turn
Talbot County Bus Driver Garth Hoff
My family moved to Maryland from New Hampshire in 2014. I did different things for work at first—from marine construction to installing cables up on the poles. In 2018, I found out that Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) was hiring bus drivers and thought it would be a great way to spend more time with my family and I liked the benefits package. I have never enjoyed an experience more than this one.
I didn’t see myself being responsible for other children and I was very nervous about it at first. I had a great aide my first year who helped me settle in to my position. I soon discovered that I saw this wonderful bunch of kids as my own and it became very easy to be a great bus driver for them. I love to hear not only about what they’re doing now, but what they’re looking forward to.
When Covid hit in 2020 and we all went home for a while, I helped out by driving a truck to the food pick-up points and distributing meals to families. When we finally went back to school, there was (and still is) a teacher shortage, so TCPS opened up substitute positions to the support staff. I signed up and entered the classroom with no idea what I was doing. I found that I liked being in the classroom, but felt unprepared.
When TCPS announced their Grow Your Own program for support staff to work towards a teaching license, I jumped right in knowing there was now a way to help kids in the classroom, as well as on the bus. I decided to pursue elementary special education because of one of my bus kids. From the very
first day he got on the bus, his smile, laughter, and excitement have brought me a lot of joy.
I’m not sure enough people understand what a very important role bus drivers play in a student’s day—we are a constant presence for the students to express how they feel…and they do! From their first interaction with us—a simple smile and “Good morning!” that can set their mood for the whole day, to
the end of the day—when you drop them off with “Have a great rest of your day! See you tomorrow!” we are always there for them. I believe we are we are a special kind of educational caretaker with a special role to play.