Mother-daughter bus driver duo fosters positivity, a sense of calm as they transport Blue Valley students

As the sun crests over the horizon each morning and students wake up for another school day, motherdaughter duo Hannah and Kathy Sneed take their places on bus 343, preparing for the students who will soon board.

As the students are picked up and the wheels on the bus carry them to their destination, Kathy Sneed navigates through the streets while Hannah Sneed monitors the students. A sweet tune fills the air as the Sneeds lead the students in a song as they near the schools on their route.

For Hannah and Kathy Sneed, driving a bus is more than just a job. It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and help them start their day on a positive note.

For more than 20 years, Kathy Sneed has worked as a bus driver for Durham School Services, holding her current route for the past 10. Four years ago, Hannah Sneed joined her mom as a bus monitor and now they work together to ensure each student feels seen and valued.

“When I first started, I drove a big bus and I thought it was important to get to know the kids’ names — I had 88 if you added them all together between the different routes,” Kathy Sneed said.

She made a deal with the students on those buses that if she couldn’t remember their names after two weeks, she would give those whose names she forgot a quarter. She only ever handed out a few over the years.

“You’ll find that [remembering names] goes a long way just to make them feel at ease,” Kathy Sneed said.

Now driving a smaller group, the duo builds connections through small gestures. Whether it’s adjusting where the students sit on the bus or singing them a song as they ride along, the Sneeds know how important their presence is to students.

“We know that sometimes they’re gonna have a rough day and we work through that with them,” Kathy Sneed said.

The Deepak’s are just one family the Sneed’s have been able to develop a positive relationship with through the years.

Radhika Mathur, mother to Aditya and Anushka Deepak, said Hannah and Kathy Sneed are the best bus drivers her children have had.

“My kids have special needs and can get easily overwhelmed, especially my daughter,” Mathur said. “Ms. Hannah has little toys to distract her. They do their best to avoid any change in schedule and in where they park the bus in front of our home so Nushki can stay calm and enjoy her ride.”

As a longtime bus driver, Kathy Sneed recognizes the responsibility that comes with the job. That’s one of the reasons Kathy and Hannah Sneed are so focused on creating a comfortable, positive environment for the students on the bus.

Kathy Sneed’s caring approach is echoed by her daughter as they both understand the little things that help kids start their day on a positive note.

Working together adds an extra layer to the experience. While they laugh about moments when “mom advice” or “coworker advice” overlaps, they know how much better the job is with each other.

“We get along well,” Hannah Sneed said. “If that weren’t the case, this job would be so much harder.”

For the Sneeds, driving a school bus is a role that requires patience and a love for kids. They know that even a brief bus ride can provide the warmth, stability and joy a student might need.

“We know the families,” Kathy Sneed said. “They know we care about their kids. It’s not just about getting them from A to B – we’re there to help them start and end their day well."

Are you interested in becoming a bus driver for Durham School Services? Apply online at tinyurl.com/applydurham or scan the QR code. Durham School Services, part of the National Express family, partners with Blue Valley Schools to transport students to and from school.