A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Michele Stowers

A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Michele Stowers

Michele Stowers never imagined she would one day become a bus driver for Portage schools, but now she cannot imagine her life any other way.

After being stuck in a job she was not a big fan of, Stowers decided she needed a career change that would both make her happy and allow her to spend time with her family. While she went to college for computer networking and photography, it was her dad that encouraged her to look into working with children.

“I didn't want to be a bus driver, and my dad kept telling me, 'You're great with kids, and you have lots of patience,' and, well, here I am,” Stowers said.

Stowers began driving a regular bus when she first started out. However, when she was pregnant, she realized she needed a change of pace at least for the time being. That’s when the perfect opportunity presented itself, and Stowers never looked back.  

“I actually started out as a regular school bus driver, and I had gotten pregnant and having 72 kids on the bus was a lot to handle. The special needs route came open, and I jumped on it and don't think I'll ever leave it now,” she said.

Stowers currently drives autistic students for Portage High School and also drives anger management students for Kyle Elementary School. 

Stowers said she enjoys working with special needs kids because it allows her to form unique bonds with both the students and the parents. She also enjoys the variety that comes with each workday. 

“Each kid has their own special quirks that make them fun. And just every day is a different day. Every day is always fun,” she said. “We usually just have a handful of kids, whereas with a big bus, you have almost 72 kids. With the small bus, you get to know the parents, you get more hands-on time with the children. You get to know who they are. On a big bus with 70 some kids, it's hard to take the time to get to know a child.”

Stowers also wants to thank her attendant, Nelson Laviena, for all his help with assisting her with the kids.

“He is my right-hand man. And without him, I'm lost. We work together very well as a team, and he does make my job more tolerable. When I'm driving, he handles the kids for me,” she said. 

Stowers is appreciative of all she’s learned during her time as a special needs bus driver.

“I would say I definitely learned that each kid is different," she said. "One thing I've learned with autism is everybody has special needs and everybody has limits. And when a child comes to their limit, you have to learn how to move on and get them past what they can't do every day. Each kid has different sensory issues. Like some don't like music really loud, some like calming music. Some like to sit with people. Some don't want to be touched. Each child is different. You've got to learn because if you don't know what makes them tick, then you have your problems.”

Stowers understands the anxious feelings parents have when their kids get on a school bus for the first time each year, so she works exceptionally hard to make sure both students and parents feel welcome on the first day.

“At the beginning of the year, I stop and get to know the parents. I give them my phone number and tell them, 'If you have any questions or concerns, call me because I'm a mom. I know how it feels,'” she said. “When you put your kid on the bus, you're petrified. The worst feeling in the world is to know that somebody you don't know is driving your kid, so I made sure that I get a good base with the parents, and I talk to the kids and ask them, ‘What do you like? Do you like the music loud? Do you like the music soft? Do you like to sit with people?’ You start to realize, too, there are signs with autistic children that you can pick out. You know, they rock when they're uncomfortable, they hit their heads when they're uncomfortable. You start to pick up on that stuff.”

Despite the challenges, Stowers knows her work is worth it. She’s exceptionally proud of her school system and all the help they offer to make sure the kids feel comfortable, safe, and have a great time at school overall.

“Portage has a great fleet of bus drivers, and we all work really hard at trying to get everybody's kid home, safe and sound,' she said.

However, for Stowers, working with the students is what brings her the most joy.

“The kids. That's the reason I do it. I love the kids."