In Ohio, a big-hearted school bus driver brightens the lives of everyone around her

“People don’t know how much responsibility comes with being a school bus driver,” says Nerissa Marcum, a school bus driver for Hamilton City Schools in Southwest Ohio and a member of Local 711 of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4).

Driving a bus that has 70 kids on it across three shifts a day starting at 6:30 a.m. takes “patience and training and a lot of heart,” says Marcum.

But Marcum has heart to spare.

According to her co-worker Valerie Gainey, who works alongside Marcum as a bus aide, Marcum is a marvel.

“She’s a wonderful person who gets along with everybody. She’s always pushing other people to be the best we can be,” says Gainey.

It starts with the rapport that Marcum builds with the kids she drives — many of whom are special needs students.

“She loves those babies,” says Gainey. “They hug her and me. It’s just wonderful.”

Marcum says that being a school bus driver allows her to have a special relationship with kids; neither parent nor teacher — but always a friend.

She recalls one student on her route years ago who had severe anger issues.

“Every day, I greeted the boy and I would tell him to have a good day at school or have a good night when I dropped him off,” Marcum says. “I brought him out of his shell. I love being that person for the kids. I love making their lives easier, being a shoulder they can lean on. It makes my job really rewarding.”

Gainey says that Marcum’s warmth and generosity extend to her co-workers as well.

For example, Marcum never lets Gainey go it alone when securing a heavy wheelchair or other equipment their special needs students require.

“She gets right in there with me,” Gainey says. “She never lets me do anything herself. I really love that about her. She isn’t scared to help.”

That includes her fellow school bus drivers across the city, whom Marcum finds time to train as certified Ohio bus instructors — teaching them the ins and outs of managing kids and being a safe driver.

On top of that, Marcum is also her local union president. From taking calls on nights and weekends from her fellow union members to advocating for her drivers at school board meetings, Gainey says that “Nerissa makes [our employer] do right by us.”

Marcum says that she gets a lot of satisfaction out of being an advocate.

“I like to feel like I’m protecting people and doing what’s right,” she says. “I want them to feel supported.”  

While always being on call and giving so much of herself can be taxing, Marcum wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Being a bus driver is a vital part of the school system and a lot of times we get overlooked,” she says. “Sometimes it’s very stressful and I get tired. But it makes me feel good that I’m making a difference.”